Depression can lead to numerous physical problems, such as severe fatigue, loss of appetite or increased appetite leading to excessive weight loss or weight gain, insomnia, substance abuse, self-injurious behavior and even suicide attempts. But did you know it can also damage your immune system? Research shows it can. And the negative impact on the immune system can lead to long-term or permanent health problems in addition to minor illnesses and short-term problems.
Prolonged periods of depression lead to increased production of stress hormones in the body, such as cortisol and adrenaline. This negatively impacts the body’s ability to repair itself from injuries and heal itself from illness or infection.
It can even lead to the development of conditions like cancer. Research shows as much as 20 percent of cancer patients experience depression, which is not surprising considering the stress, fear and anxiety associated with having a potentially terminal disease. Unfortunately, research also shows that depression can cause a more rapid advancement of the disease and a delayed response to treatment.
Inflammatory Response
A study conducted by Ohio State University researchers found that depressed people have an increased inflammatory response to things that challenge or stress the immune system. This response was found in subjects with only mild to moderate depression and may be even stronger in those with severe depression, especially long-term or chronic severe depression. The inflammatory response occurred when depressed subjects experienced even minor stressors to the immune system, such as a common flu shot. The inflammatory response may be even stronger in response to greater stressors, such as a serious illness, infection or allergic reaction.
Prolonged inflammation has many potentially serious effects, such as periodontal disease, heart disease, arthritis, diabetes and osteoporosis. While periodontal disease is not so hard to treat if addressed early, arthritis is a lifelong condition and diabetes and heart disease can have deadly complications in some patients.
Implications and Recommendations
The implications of this research are significant. Patients experiencing depression may suffer a number of illnesses, which can in turn lead to increased depression, which can then lead to even more health problems.
In response to this research, physicians treating patients for long-term depression, even mild depression, should also assess patients for conditions like arthritis, osteoporosis and diabetes. They should encourage patients to seek early treatment for any symptoms of health problems, since patients’ response to treatment may be delayed due to their depression. Unfortunately, depression often decreases patients’ motivation to care for their physical health, seek treatment for health problems and comply with treatment recommendations. Health care providers need to be sensitive to these concerns.
Patients suffering from chronic illnesses like arthritis, osteoporosis and diabetes, or serious conditions like cancer, or even those that simply experience frequent colds and other infections, should be assessed by their physicians for depression. Their physicians should offer prompt treatment for depression when it is identified, both to improve patients’ mental wellbeing and physical health.
Sources:
Psychology Today. http://www.psychologytoday.com/articles/200312/depression-hurts-the-immune-system. Depression Hurts the Immune System. ABC/Health. http://abcnews.go.com/Health/DepressionRiskFactors/story?id=4355916 . What Is The Relationship Between Depression And The Immune System?
Stanford School of Medicine. http://med.stanford.edu/ism/2009/august/depression.html. Depression’s Effect on Immune System May Worsen Cancer, Study Suggests.
