I believe you should treat depression because it is detrimental to your well-being, physical health, and relationships. This decreases our overall quality of life, and we only get one chance to live it well.

Here are all the reasons I could find why depression should be treated:

1. Improves quality of life

• • The biggest reason to treat depression is that it improves your quality of life. Mental disorders can make daily activities, work, and social interactions difficult, and even impossible in severe cases. Effective treatment can restore a sense of joy, motivation, and the ability to function normally.

2. Prevents worsening of symptoms

• • Untreated psychological issues can (and probably will) worsen over time. This will cause even more intense feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and isolation. It can also lead to more severe mental health conditions like anxiety disorders or suicidal thoughts. Furthermore, it has been shown that treating depression prevents further worsening and improves depressive symptoms.

3. Reduces physical health risks

• • Being depressed is linked to a variety of physical health problems. Think of issues such as heart disease, chronic pain, digestive disorders, and a weakened immune system. Treating the root issue can help reduce these risks and improve your overall health.

4. Enhances relationships
   
   

• • Mental illnesses often strain personal relationships, be it due to feeling bad, feeling guilty, or feeling hopeless. This regularly leads to misunderstandings, irritability, and withdrawal from loved ones. Remedying the issue can improve communication and help rebuild strong, healthy connections once more. Even more, perceived emotional support, a large and diverse social network, and perceived instrumental support have significant protective properties.

5. Prevents substance abuse

• • Many people turn to alcohol or drugs to cope with their depression, which can lead to addiction and complicate treatment. Although I was most certainly not an alcoholic, I did notice that I turned more toward drinking alcohol to try to reduce my sadness and in an attempt to cope with my anxiety. Early intervention can keep people from self-medicating and going through associated health risks.

6. Reduces the risk of suicide

• • One of the most serious risks of leaving psychological difficulties untreated is suicide. Going through therapy, employing medication, or a combination of both can significantly reduce the risk of suicide and other self-harm behaviors. That’s why I always tell people who are suicidal or at risk for self-harm to use medication, since the danger of not using all tools available is too high in my opinion. Of course, always consult with a healthcare professional before doing so, because I can’t give out personalized advice, nor a prescription!

7. Boosts productivity
   
   

• • Depression typically affects multiple cognitive functions that are vital to functioning well. The most common operations are concentration, decision-making, and energy levels. By treating what’s troubling you, individuals can regain focus, efficiency, and productivity in their personal and professional lives.

8. Helps address root causes

• • A multifaceted treatment approach, especially therapy, helps individuals understand and address the underlying causes of their depression, whether it’s trauma, loss, stress, or chemical imbalances. That’s vital, since just addressing the symptoms doesn’t resolve the source of what’s making our existence miserable. That’s not to say that part of the resolution can’t be to lessen the debilitating symptoms of the disorder to make life more bearable, but it shouldn’t be the only focus, nor the end goal.

9. Supports long-term mental health

• • Treating the trouble not only alleviates depressive symptoms but also provides tools and strategies to manage future episodes, promoting long-term mental wellness. Life is a marathon and not a sprint. That’s why it’s always worth investing in your long-term mental (and physical) health.

10. Improves cognitive function

• • Depression can impair memory, concentration, and decision-making. Effective treatment can help restore these disturbed brain operations. This allows afflicted individuals to think more clearly and make better choices in their daily lives.

11. Promotes personal growth
    
    

• • Individuals can gain insight into their emotional and mental health by going to therapy, fostering personal growth and resilience in the process. Therapy and self-reflection often lead to more self-awareness and emotional intelligence, which are vital skills that we all need to apply in our lives.

12. Supports physical self-care

• • Emotional instabilities often lead to neglect of personal hygiene, diet, and exercise. Treatment can restore energy and motivation, which helps individuals to take better care of their physical health through proper nutrition, exercise, and sleep. Contrary to popular belief, physical health is not just how we look on the outside, but also how healthy we are on the inside. That’s why you shouldn’t neglect proper nutrition and get enough rest/sleep.

13. Reduces social isolation

• • Suffering from psychological difficulties often causes individuals to withdraw from social interactions with others, typically creating loneliness and exacerbating feelings of sadness. Remedying the concern encourages social engagement to help rebuild social connections and improve emotional support networks.

14. Enhances emotional stability

• • Untreated depression can cause mood swings, irritability, and emotional instability. Healing assists in regulating mood and managing emotional reactions, so the feelings become more predictable and stable.

15. Improves parenting and family life

• • Parents with untreated depressive symptoms may struggle to care for their children in the right way, affecting the emotional well-being of the entire family. Research has shown that childhood emotional neglect is a risk factor for later depression. Managing these symptoms helps parents feel better equipped to engage with and care for their children, creating a healthier family environment.

16. Helps address comorbid conditions

• • Depression often occurs alongside other mental health conditions, such as anxiety, PTSD, or eating disorders. Treating depression can also help alleviate the symptoms of these comorbid conditions. Conversely, treating other psychological disorders can also improve depressive symptoms, which improves overall mental health.

17. Encourages healthy coping mechanisms
    
    

• • Untreated psychological issues may turn into unhealthy coping strategies like avoidance, excessive sleeping, or overworking. Healing includes learning and applying healthier coping mechanisms. Think of using strategies such as mindfulness, problem-solving, and emotional regulation.

18. Promotes longevity

• • Depression is associated with a shorter life expectancy and a higher risk of chronic illnesses. Managing these troubles can improve not only mental health but also contribute to living a longer and healthier life by addressing these risks.

19. Improves financial stability

• • Mental difficulties can impact our ability to work and manage finances. Sadly, this often leads to financial strain. Treating depression aids in restoring our productivity, cuts down work absences, and helps individuals regain control over their financial situations.

20. Builds a support system

• • Managing the root of the problem often involves support groups, therapy, or community resources that foster a sense of belonging and shared experience. This helps to create a supportive environment where individuals feel understood and less alone in their struggles.

Conclusion

Fortunately, depression is a treatable condition, and early intervention can lead to significant improvements in mental, emotional, and physical well-being.

Managing depression is vital not just for relief from emotional pain, but also for improving many other areas of life, ranging from relationships and physical health to personal growth and productivity.

This leads to a more fulfilling and balanced existence, in addition to a better quality of life.