Physical Symptoms of Depression
Depression can cause many different symptoms physical and emotional. Fatigue is a frequent physical manifestation of depression. It's also a sign of pain, whether it's headache, backache or any other body aches.
If your child feels sad or depressed all the time, it's worthwhile to have a talk with a healthcare professional about it. Depression can have serious consequences.
Sleeping problems and fatigue
Depression can cause fatigue and make it difficult to sleep. 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 you experience fatigue that is due to these medications or another condition such as seasonal affective disorder, speak with your physician about adjusting the dosage or switching medications.
Fatigue can also be an indication of other health issues such as chronic illness or vitamin deficiency. If you experience chronic fatigue and it is causing disruptions with your daily activities, or if it doesn't improve after a break or eating a balanced diet it could be worthwhile scheduling an appointment with your physician.
It's normal to feel tired after a long night or in times of high stress, but if it is a long-term symptom of depression it may be an indication of a underlying problem that needs treatment. Depression can cause you to lose interest in the activities that once made you happy or motivated. This makes it difficult to keep up with regular exercise and physical activity. This can result in poor physical fitness, weight changes and decreased energy levels.
Aches and pains are frequently a sign of depression as they are correlated with physical and emotional symptoms. It is believed that the connection between depression and pain is due to a feedback loop that inflammation-related chemicals like cytokines are responsible for both depression and pain.
Depression can cause someone to have a reduced desire to eat, which may cause weight growth. A decrease in appetite can be accompanied by nausea and vomiting, making it difficult to consume food. In extreme instances, depression could cause dehydration or malnutrition.
It is important to speak with your doctor if you suspect that you or someone you know is suffering from depression. You could be referred an expert who can assist you to find the best treatment options for your particular condition. Your doctor will ask questions about your mental and physical health to determine an assessment. They can also conduct a physical examination and ask about your diet, lifestyle and medication use.
Headaches
Depression is a mood disorder that affects both mind and body. It can trigger physical symptoms such as pain and fatigue that people might not be aware of. It is important to recognize that different cultures can be affected by depression and perceive it in different ways. For instance certain Asian American people describe and recognize depression as more physical than emotional. This could have a significant impact on the treatment they seek as well as the treatment they receive.
Headaches are one of the most common physical symptoms of depression. Unlike depression symptoms bipolar caused by migraines the headaches associated with depression are typically mild and can be relieved by over-the-counter medication. Headaches may be triggered by a variety of causes, including stress, poor sleeping habits, or an alteration in the diet. They can also be an indication of a medical condition, such as irritable bowel or a gastrointestinal illness.
Depression can also trigger or worsen other kinds of pain, including muscle aches and backaches. This is due to the same neural pathways in the brain that influence your mood also affect the areas of your body that experience pain. Depression can make you more sensitive to pain. It can also cause the pain to last longer and interfere with your ability to function.
Aches and pains may make it difficult for you to concentrate on tasks, and they could hinder you from participating in activities, hobbies, or other activities that you like. If you experience these symptoms, talk to your doctor or a mental health professional immediately. They can help you find the right treatments to help you feel better.
You might feel depressed or "down in a funk" at times. However, if you are experiencing these emotions for the majority of the day, nearly every day, and have a significant impact on your daily life it is possible that you are depressed. Seek a diagnosis from your GP if you have these symptoms. If you are unable to go to your GP or a family member, talk to your family member or friend, a faith leader or another trusted person. If you are considering suicide, dial 911 or the emergency number of your local area immediately.
Muscle Aches
People who are depressed often suffer from a mix of physical and mental symptoms. This is because of the way the body and the brain interact. Depression is usually accompanied by pain and fatigue. Joints that are aching and numbness or discomforts and aches can be signs.
Although it's normal to be down at times, feeling depressed can be an extreme feeling than sadness that comes and goes. Depression is more severe and lasts longer. It can affect every aspect of your life. The most frequent kind of depression is known as major depressive disorder, when a person is depressed or low almost every day for at minimum two weeks. This type of depression may be accompanied by other signs, such as sleep problems or a loss of interest in certain activities. Other forms of depression include seasonal affective disorder (when symptoms change with 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 may cause hallucinations and other symptoms that resemble schizophrenia.
Depression can make it difficult to exercise or eat healthy which can make the pains and aches get more severe. Depression can also increase inflammation, making the body more prone to pain. Depression can also lead to unhealthy habits like excessive smoking, drinking or a lack of sleep. Many of the conditions that trigger depression can lead to chronic pain such as arthritis and fibromyalgia.
A therapist can treat depression and its physical symptoms such as muscle pain. You can do many things at home such as getting enough rest, working out regularly and reducing stress. You can also practice meditation or yoga. Drinking plenty of water and consuming healthy food can also be beneficial. If home remedies fail to relieve the pain it is important to see a physician. They can prescribe medication and offer treatment options, or refer you to a specialist if necessary. Warm up and cool down your muscles before exercising, and stretch them as far as you can throughout the day.
Digestive Issues
People who are depressed often experience gastrointestinal problems. This can include feeling diarrhoea, constipation or nausea. The reason this happens is due to depression altering the way a person responds to stress. The low energy level associated with depression can lead to a person eating less, which could lead to weight gain, or loss, based on the situation.
Some depression symptoms have a physical cause such as heart disease. Depression can trigger the body's stress-hormones to rise. This can increase your blood pressure and tighten your arteries. This increases the risk of developing atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (CVD). Depression also lowers your immune system, which could increase your risk of illness and infection.
Many people don't recognize depression as a physical manifestation because they focus on emotional and mental symptoms of sadness, hopelessness and despair. But if you have persistent, unexplained physical symptoms that impact your daily routine and don't get better with time, you should see your doctor.
A medical professional can assess your symptoms to determine if they're caused by a physical issue such as a vitamin deficit, hormonal imbalance, or neurological problem. The medical professional will consider these factors and suggest the best treatment.
A medical professional will ask you questions about your past and present physical and mental health, as well as conduct a physical examination to determine if there are other causes of your symptoms, such as thyroid issues or vitamin deficiency. In certain instances they may need to conduct tests in the laboratory or imaging to rule out medical conditions that could be similar to depression.
Some depression treatment options rely on a combination of medications that improve mood and reduce physical symptoms. Other treatments include lifestyle changes like eating healthy and reducing triggers for pain. Talk therapy can be an important part of treatment for depression because it teaches you new techniques for relaxation and coping. In some cases the use of drugs or alcohol to dull physical symptoms can be an indication of depression.