Physical Symptoms of Depression
Depression can trigger many different symptoms physical and emotional. Fatigue is among the most common physical symptoms of depression. Pain is a different indicator of depression, whether it's a backache, headache or other body pains.
If your child feels sad or depressed all the time, it's worthwhile to have having a chat with a health professional about it. Depression can have serious effects.
Difficulty sleeping and fatigue
Depression can cause fatigue and make it difficult to fall asleep. Fatigue is a common side effect of many antidepressant medications, including selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) and tricyclic antidepressants. If your fatigue is linked to these medications or another disorder, like seasonal affective disorder, speak with your doctor about adjusting the dosage or switching medications.
Fatigue can be a sign of other health issues like chronic illness or vitamin deficiencies. If you are suffering from chronic fatigue and it interferes in your daily life, or if it does not improve after resting or eating healthy it could be worth making an appointment with your doctor.
It's normal to be tired after a restless night or in times of high stress, however if fatigue is a persistent symptom of depression it may be an indication of a deeper problem that needs treatment. Depression can cause you to lose interest in activities that used to make you happy or motivated. This makes it difficult to maintain regular exercise and activities. This can lead to poor physical fitness as well as weight fluctuations and a decrease in energy levels.
Aches and pains may be an indication of depression as they are linked to physical and emotional symptoms. The connection between pain and depression is thought to be due to a bidirectional feedback loop, with bodily inflammatory chemicals like cytokines, causing to both feelings of depression and pain.
People who suffer from depression frequently suffer from a decreased appetite and this can cause weight gain or weight loss. Sometimes, a loss of appetite is caused by vomiting or nausea, which can make it difficult to eat. In extreme cases, depression can cause malnutrition and dehydration.
It is important to speak with your physician if you suspect that you or someone you love is suffering from depression. You may be referred to an expert who can help you identify solutions that are suitable for your condition. Your healthcare provider will ask questions regarding your mental and physical health to make an accurate diagnosis. They may also carry out an examination of your body and inquire about your lifestyle, diet and medication usage.
Headaches
Depression is an illness of the mood that affects both mind and body. It can cause physical symptoms, such as fatigue and pain that people might not consider to be a sign of the condition. It is also important to note that different cultures may perceive and experience depression in different ways. For instance, Asian Americans, for instance are able to describe depression and perceive it predominantly as physical, not emotional. This can affect the treatment and care they receive.
postnatal depression symptoms are a common sign of depression. Headaches associated with depression tend to be milder than migraines and can be treated with non-prescription medications. Headaches may be triggered by a variety of causes, including stress, poor sleeping habits or a change in the diet. They can also be a sign an underlying condition like irritable bowel syndrome or a gastrointestinal infection.
Depression can also trigger or exacerbate other types of pain, such as backaches and muscle aches. The same nerve pathways that influence your mood also affect body parts that experience pain. Depression can make you more sensitive to pain. It can also cause the ache to last longer and interfere with your ability to function.
Aches and pains can make it difficult to concentrate on work and may prevent you from engaging in sports, activities or other activities you normally take pleasure in. Speak to your doctor about these symptoms as soon as you can. They can assist you in finding solutions that can help you feel better.
Everyone is sad or "down in the lows" at times, but if these feelings persist for most of the day, and even every day, and greatly impact your everyday functioning you may be suffering from depression. Seek an answer from your GP in the event that you exhibit these symptoms. If you are unable visit your GP talk to a trusted family member, friend, faith leader, or other person. If you're thinking of suicide call 911 or the local emergency number.
Muscle Aches
Depression is usually associated with a mix of physical and mental symptoms. This is due to the way that the body and the brain interact. Depression is usually associated with fatigue and pain. Achy joints and vague discomforts and aches can be a sign.
Although it is normal to feel sadness at times, depression is a more serious emotion than a sadness that passes and goes. Depression lasts longer and impacts every aspect of our lives. The most common type of depression is major depressive disorder, when a person is depressed or low almost every day for at least two weeks. This type of depression can be accompanied by other symptoms like sleep problems or a loss of interest in activities. Other types of depression are seasonal affective disorder (when symptoms change with the seasons) and persistent depression (which is less severe but lasts for at least two years), and psychotic depression. Psychotic depression is a kind of depression that can cause hallucinations, as well as other symptoms that resemble schizophrenia.
Depression can make it harder to exercise or eat a balanced diet, which in turn makes the pains and aches worse. Depression can also trigger inflammation in the body, making it more sensitive to pain. People with depression are more likely to engage in unhealthy habits like smoking excessively, drinking alcohol or not getting enough rest. A lot of the disorders that trigger depression can result in chronic pain such as arthritis and fibromyalgia.
A therapist can treat depression and its physical symptoms like muscle pain. There are some things that can be done at home, for example getting enough sleep, exercising regularly, reducing stress and practicing meditation or yoga. A healthy diet and drinking plenty of fluids can also help. If the pains and aches can't be relieved by home treatment it is essential to see a physician. They can prescribe medication and offer treatment options and refer you to specialists if required. It's also a good idea to to warm up and cool down before exercising, and also to stretch your muscles as much as you can throughout the day.
Digestive Issues
If someone is depressed, they are often afflicted with digestive issues. It could be nauseous, constipation and/or diarrhoea. This is due to depression affecting the way that a person reacts to stress. In addition the low energy levels that come with depression can mean that a person is less likely to eat and this could cause weight loss or gain, dependent on the circumstances.
Certain depression symptoms have a physical cause, such as heart disease. Depression causes the body's stress hormones to increase, which can cause your blood pressure to increase and enlarge your arteries. This increases your chances of developing atherosclerotic heart disease, also known as CVD. Depression can also lower your immune system. This could make you more susceptible to illness and infection.
Many people don't see depression as a physical symptom because they are focused on the emotional and mental symptoms of despair, sadness and helplessness. If you are experiencing persistent, unexplained symptoms that disrupt your daily life and do not improve with time, consult your physician.
If you're struggling with depression, a physician can evaluate your symptoms and assess whether they are being caused by an illness of the body like a vitamin deficiency, hormonal imbalance or neurological problem. The doctor will consider these factors and recommend a plan of treatment.
A medical professional will ask questions about your past and present physical and mental health as well as perform a physical exam to rule out any other causes of your symptoms, such as thyroid disease or vitamin deficiency. In some cases, they may want to conduct imaging or laboratory tests to rule out any other medical problems that can mimic depression.
Certain depression treatments rely on the use of a combination of medications that can improve mood and ease physical symptoms. Other treatments involve changes to lifestyle including eating an appropriate diet and reducing pain triggers. Talk therapy is a key component of depression treatment because it can help you learn new strategies for dealing with stress and relaxation. In certain instances, the use of drugs or alcohol to dull symptoms of depression could be a sign.