Physiological Symptoms of Depression
Depression can manifest in a variety of ways. Some are more obvious than others.
Everyone experiences sadness or depression at times, but if these feelings happen most of the time for at least 2 weeks and impede routine activities, it could be an indication of depression. Some people may experience physical symptoms, for example stomach pain.
Fatigue
Even healthy people who are getting enough sleep can feel tired, particularly after a long workday or strenuous exercise. But when this feeling is constant and persistent, it could be an indication of depression.
Insomniac fatigue that is unavoidable can make it difficult to work or be with friends and family. If this is the case, make an appointment with your healthcare provider to discuss your concerns.
The causes of depression-related fatigue vary between individuals and can include medication or medical conditions or an infection. Talk to your doctor about possible side effects if you are taking medication. It is often possible to treat the medical problem that is causing your fatigue.
Fatigue can also be a sign of anemia, which occurs when your blood cells have too few red blood cells or hemoglobin, a protein that transports oxygen in the bloodstream. If you suffer from anemia, your doctor might prescribe iron supplements or recommend eating more foods rich in iron.
Depression has been linked to the ways your body and brain interact, and therefore some physical changes can be a sign of depression. For instance, you might notice that your movements and speech seem to be slower, with fewer gaps in your speech and a monotone voice. You might feel as if your body is heavier or that your movements are less effective.
Another common symptom is stomach discomfort. Depression can affect how your body process and senses pain. You may have headaches that are more intense or last for a longer time or chest or stomach discomfort. Depression can also affect how your body perceives pain from other sources, such as car accident or cancer.
Some studies have demonstrated that depression can also affect vision. Those who are depressed may notice things that appear blurred or out of focus. This is believed to be caused by a part of the brain that is responsible for processing emotions. The underlying cause may be due to the way nerve cell networks in your brain process emotional information as well as pain signals from the rest of your body.
Sleep Disorders
While the majority of people are aware of depression’s emotional symptoms of persistent depressive disorder, many do not realize that the disorder can have physical consequences as well. The stomach ache, fatigue and pains are all signs of depression.1
Depression is often associated with sleep problems. You may have difficulty sleeping or staying asleep, or wake up often during the night or get up early signs of depression in the morning. You may also experience a change in sleep patterns, such as staying up longer during the day and settling in later at night. Insomnia can be an indication of depression and can increase the likelihood of having a recurrence, especially when it’s persistent.
Fatigue is a typical side effect of antidepressant medications, but it can also be caused by depression itself or other illnesses and conditions. It is important to talk with your doctor about any persistent feeling of fatigue to see if they could be related to depression.
A lack of energy can make it hard to concentrate or perform daily tasks. This is a common symptom of depression that is difficult to treat yourself. It is crucial to maintain a healthy diet and exercise regularly to boost your energy level.
Pains and aches that are not explained such as backaches, headaches or abdominal cramps can be a symptom of depression. The link between these symptoms and depression is thought to be due to a biological process that involves hormones and nerve pathways.
In some cases, depression can affect your ability to fight off illnesses. Depression-related stress over time can cause an increase in white blood cells, making you more susceptible to illnesses and infections like colds and flu.
If you’re depressed, communication with others may be more difficult. Depression can make you lose interest in activities that are normally enjoyable. It can also cause you to speak more slowly and with less expression. Many people suffering from depression lose the ability to maintain eye contact or maintain an appropriate facial expression.
Changes in appetite
Having a low appetite or having to eat a lot more are common signs of depression in young adults of depression. When you’re depressed, eating can be difficult. Some people gain weight, while others lose weight. These physical changes may be a symptom of bipolar disorder or major depression.
Neurotransmitters are the main reason for mood and sleep, as well as pain threshold. When you’re depressed, serotonin levels are out of equilibrium. This impacts how you perceive pain, and even your body’s reaction to it. People who suffer from chronic back pain or other forms of pain feel more depressed. It is because they are feeling physical and emotional strain and can lead to more negative feelings, including sadness and despair.
People with depression can become irritable or agitated. This could lead to self-harm or suicide. It is important to seek medical attention if you experience these symptoms as soon as possible. A doctor will perform an extensive medical assessment to determine the reason for your symptoms. This will include a review of your family history, medical and personal history, as well as physical examination. The evaluation will include laboratory and imaging tests to determine if you have medical conditions that could be a precursor to depression, like hormone imbalances, vitamin deficiencies and neurological disorders.
Many people aren’t aware that they have depression, as the identifying signs of depression can be difficult to spot. It can be difficult for some people to seek help because they believe that their depression is “normal” or something that everyone experiences at some point. Depression is a serious illness, and it can have a negative impact on a person’s life and overall health.
There are many factors which can increase your risk of being depressed, including genetics, being exposed to violence or other trauma-inducing events as a child or the repercussions of life events such as loss, bereavement, or unemployment. There are also personal traits that put you at risk with low self-esteem, feeling overwhelmed by stress and having a negative attitude.
Pain
Depression is a real illness and can trigger various physical symptoms. The symptoms include a general sense of depression or “down in the dumps” feeling of hopelessness and sadness, irritability, discomforts and aches. Depression can affect men and women of any age, regardless of their socioeconomic status, cultural, or background.
The occurrence of mood-related fatigue is a typical sign of depression, and many people who are diagnosed with the disorder have sleep problems that cause them to be exhausted throughout the day. Some people feel so tired that getting up is a struggle. Some people may feel their energy levels are lower than normal and they are more susceptible to getting sick or colds. Depression stress and changes in appetite or weight may reduce one’s immune system which increases their susceptibility to infection.
People suffering from depression may complain of stomach, back or joint pain. They may also have an increase in their ability to focus or recall things. It isn’t known the reason for these physical symptoms, but depression may alter the way that the body processes information about pain. The brain’s neural network that regulates moods and emotions is linked to the brain’s networks that process information for sensing physical pain, and depression could cause a disruption in these areas.
Depression can also be associated with a change in a person’s vision. This can alter the clarity of an individual’s eyesight, or it can cause an impression that things appear dull or lack contrast. Other symptoms related to depression in the visual area include eye blinking, blurred vision and a tendency to blink frequently.
It is important to inform your doctor about all physical symptoms you experience even if it’s not your intention to think they are connected to your mood. These symptoms are usually triggered by medications for depression, therefore it’s important to consult with your doctor to minimize them.