Study Suggests Untreated Depression may be as Deadly as Smoking; Anxiety may Counteract
November 30th, 2009
The complications, both mental and physical, of depression can be debilitating for people who experience the symptoms of this mental health concern, but the extent to which depression may put one’s life in danger when untreated has been highlighted in a recent study performed at King’s College London in conjunction with the University of Bergen in Norway. The study examined a survey of over sixty thousand participants, and noted rates of depression as compared to rates of mortality within four years of the survey date. The researchers found that those with depression were as likely to pass away as those who indicated that they smoked, however moderate levels of anxiety seemed to play a part in counteracting the association. Rather than necessarily suggesting anything concrete about clients themselves, the researchers suggest, the professional care and attitudes involved with different types of issues may contribute to disparities in longevity.
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Depression is worse than physical injuries in my opinion… Because the chances of a physical injury healing is much higher than a person coming out of depression. And depression not only affects an individual, but his/her family and friends too. It deals a cruel blow to their normal lives.
As it is clear from the study, reduction in anxiety had a direct effect on reducing the fatal effects of depression, I firmly believe that reduction in anxiety even in people not actually suffering from depression will lead to a better life.
Sad that something so treatable is hurting so many. I think that it is still taboo to admit that you may be having a problem with depression which in turn lessens the chances that you will seek help for the issue. If we would all just take a moment to live in the shoes of others for just a minute who knows how many lives we could possibly save just by recognizing the fact that someone may be having a hard time and that you could help just by being a friend.
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