The researchers said depression can shorten both men and women’s lifespan by 10 years or more.
Depression kills because your brain is telling your body that things are not going well. The cells hear the message and they don’t regenerate because there is no point. It goes back to adrenocortical steroids which are secreted when danger is present and survival might be in question. The ardrenals release hormones that cause healing and growth to slow so that all of the body’s resources can be used to escape danger. Peristalsis slows, peripheral circulation decreases, immune response is reduced and ultimately the body suffers. In short term danger like being mugged or attacked by a mountain lion, it is temporary and short. With depression it is long and drawn out. Sometimes depressed people get more attention from their friends and family so they get even more depressed when the attention stops. It is a vicious cycle that has no bottom.
Personally I am hardly ever depressed. I am grateful for the life I have and the love of others and the future looks bright in spite of liberals who are determined to ruin everything. Screw them. They are having their reward.