[boobrandy]

Can severe depression lead to shoplifting and memory loss. Also, can it cause hallucinations?

[Justwantfair]

If you are suffering from severe depression, then you need to seek out medical assistance and speak with your doctor about your other concerns.

If you are hallucinating, please seek medical attention immediately.

[liz28]

There are a number of depressive illnesses, including major depression, chronic depression, bipolar disorder and Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). Symptoms vary from person to person but as soon as you realize you may be suffer from this you should see a mental health specialist ASAP.

I know schizophrenics often experience delusions, hallucinations, social and emotional withdrawal and unexplainable behavior. Schizophrenics experience a disconnect with reality. One of my friends suffers from this.

Now please make an appointment with a doctor ASAP so you can be properly diagnose so you can get treated. Your mental health is very important and plays a factor to your overall health.

[Torrid13]

Severe depression in some people does cause hallucinations, varying from auditory to visual. This is relatively rare, but it does happen.

It also does cause memory loss, mostly because people with severe depressive episodes don't sleep very well. With little to no sleep, the brain basically slows down its functioning. Feelings of being "slow," or not getting things is common, as well as short term memory loss, such as not being able to remember what you went into the kitchen for.

Severe depression affects everyone differently; some people hallucinate, some people cut themselves (Borderline Personality Disorder in most cases comorbid with MDD, Dysthymia, or another mental illness), some people get very angry, some do absolutely nothing. It all depends.

Go see a doctor ASAP. Severe recurrent depression left untreated eventually causes the brain to alter its structure in an effort to compensate for chemical imbalances.

[KBC]

Shoplifting,no,that is a conscious decision.
Memory loss,as was said before,effects vary from person to person.
Hallucinations,yes,also in varying degrees and differ from person to person.
Seeking help is warranted.

[kp2171]

It can absolutely result in memory loss.

Been there, done that myself... the memory loss and focus issues... said things I didn't remember saying or acted in a way I didn't remember acting.

Short answer is "yes"...

[s_cianci]

I would say yes, to all counts. However, don't try to use depression as a legal defense against a shoplifting charge because it won't fly.