If a depression remains untreated, it can, like influenza or pneumonia, become “protracted”. Warnings about this are issued by experts on depression such as Prof. Frank Schneider, President of the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Psychiatrie, Psychotherapie und Nervenheilkunde (German Association of Psychiatry Psychotherapy and Neurology, DGPPN) in Berlin: “Even when the symptoms are not pronounced or vary in their seriousness, those affected should not hesitate to consult a doctor. People with relatively mild depressive mental states can mostly continue to function quite well for a time. But they have to invest a great deal of energy in order to cope with their everyday life and run the risk that a serious depression will develop after some weeks or that the originally mild form of depression will become chronic. (Source: http://www.neurologen-und-psychiater-im-netz.de)
There is a danger that the symptoms of a depression will not disappear of their own accord, but, on the contrary, will worsen. The depression can become chronic. A chronic depression can have negative consequences in many areas of the affected person’s life, such as the relationship with partner, social environment, mood and ability to work. In the worst possible case an untreated depression can even lead to suicide! It is therefore important to act immediately at the first sign of depressive symptoms.
If you are afraid that you are suffering from depression, it is advisable to clarify the situation with the help of an individual test, best of all in the context of a visit to your doctor or therapist. It might be helpful to prepare to the visit of the doctor or tharapist. This free screener can also be helpful.
