The pain of untreated depression is often so terrible that some sufferers would rather end their lives than continue to live through the torment. About 15 percent of people with unipolar major depression will attempt suicide each year, and about 15 percent of them will succeed. (This only includes the fraction of people whose deaths are reported as suicide.) The lifetime risk for suicide is higher in unipolar major depression than in schizophrenia or panic disorder depression is a potentially fatal illness.
Recent estimates suggest that the mortality from depression is second only to cancer in some areas. In addition to suicide, if we add in all the fatalities from motor vehicle crashes, falls, poisoning, and other accidents that accompany depression, the number of depression deaths is much higher.
- Is there really a Band Aid that takes away depression?
- Will I have to keep taking medications or going to psychotherapy for the rest of my life?
- What’s a simple definition of major depression?
- What else can I do?
- Are drug companies suppressing natural products to make more money from their drugs?
- What are some commonly used products that are bad for my depression?
- What about marijuana? It makes me feel less depressed after I smoke it.
- What exactly is stress?
- Why do I get depressed over happy events, like my wedding?
- Is there somewhere I can go to get away from stress?
- Is there something simple and easy I can try to reduce my stress level?
- Is it safe to buy supplements from the Internet?
- What are some good, basic dietary rules?
- Can vitamins help my depression?
- Should I take something to give me more energy?
- What should I do if my antidepressant just isn’t working?
- Are herbal supplements effective?
- Is depression affecting my sleep?
- Are my repetitive thoughts keeping me awake?
- What is sleep hygiene?
