The Horrible Effects of Long-Term Depression

Do you find yourself relaxing into long-term depression, doing nothing about it until it leaves on its own? Research shows that this can be very detrimental later on.

A new study suggests that young people who experience prolonged depression may have poor thinking and memory skills in middle age. This can lead to dementia.

Knowing the effects of long term depression, you don't want to live with the blues for too long. Because the impact might outlast even the depression itself.

That's not even all.

The study suggests that black people may be more prone to this dynamic.

"Our study found that prolonged exposure to elevated depressive symptoms in young adulthood has a negative effect on thinking and memory in middle age, especially for Black adults," said study author Leslie Grasset, PhD.

How long is too long?

The researchers studied the participants for 20 years, beginning when they had an average age of 30 till they were 55.

At the end of the period, people in the low depression group had a thinking speed and memory score of 73, while those in high depression scored an average of 57. That's a significant difference.

Whether your depressive symptoms last for a week, a month, a year, or five, the effects are never favorable. The effects of long term depression may lead to extended feelings of hopelessness, irritability, weight gain/loss, lack of productivity, brain shrinkage, and poor cognition.

All of that can crash your quality of life. Life loses its meaning.

But that doesn't have to be your story.

You can get help right away.

It is not too late.

Contact us.

At Hope Mental Health, our aim is to promote better mental health and wellness through healthy habits, behavioral counseling, psychotherapy, and medications when needed. We serve Boise & Meridian, Idaho, SLC & the Wasatch Front, Utah. Also serving OR, AZ, NV, WA & FL.

Get in touch now.

Author

Satu H. Woodland, PMHCNS-BC, APRN Satu Woodland is owner and clinician of Hope Mental Health, an integrative mental health practice located at Bown Crossing in Boise, Idaho. She sees children, adolescents, and adults.  Ms. Woodland with her background in nursing, prefers a holistic and integrative approach to mental health care that addresses the mind and body together. While Ms. Woodland provides medication management services in all her patients, she believes in long-lasting solutions that include a number of psychotherapies, namely cognitive behavioral therapy, exposure and response prevention therapy, attention to lifestyle, evidenced based alternative psychiatric care and spirituality. If you’d like to gain control over your mental health issues, call Hope Mental Health at 208-918-0958, or use the online scheduling tool to set up an initial consultation.