Abusers suffer high rates of depression, and depressed individuals have a high incidence of substance abuse. Persons lose interest in life, become incapable of feeling pleasure and sexual arousal, and may lose the appetite for food. An awareness of the symptoms of depression may led to more timely and efficient intervention strategies. The sensation of fear can be enhanced by the inability to deal with even small worries or tasks. A feeling of helplessness is constant, due to the inability to cope.
Depressed individuals tend to experience a feeling of hopelessness and futility.
They seem to have no motivation to go on living. This is probably one of the most distressing of the unpleasant perceptions and sensations that one can experience. It can be provoked by feelings of unworthiness because one is unable to accomplish one's goals. These problems may be caused by excessive worry, fear, or anxiety. These constitute a fear of being dragged into something that is terrible or catastrophic, and being powerless to resist it.