Severe Depression Physical Symptoms
The physical manifestations of depression that are severe include fatigue, sleep issues and pain. Depression affects people differently however there are ways to manage these symptoms and seek help when needed.
It’s normal for everyone of us to feel depressed or low sometimes, but if these feelings persist and cause disruption to your daily life they could be a sign of depression. People can are also depressed as a result of chronic stress.
Fatigue
Fatigue is a common and significant symptom of depression. It’s like having a constant and unrelenting exhaustion even if you’re getting enough sleep. Fatigue can also be a side effect of some antidepressant medications which is why it’s essential to discuss your symptoms with your physician.
There is no precise definition of fatigue, however it is described as a persistent feeling of fatigue that causes problems with daily activities. The symptoms of fatigue can include various other symptoms, including difficulty falling or staying asleep. Other signs include muscle pain, changes in appetite, and feelings of weakness. Some studies have revealed that those suffering from depression have more fatigue than people without the condition.
Certain causes of fatigue are evident, for example, being overworked, not eating a balanced diet or excessive drinking or drug use. Other causes of fatigue, like thyroid diseases, anemia and chronic kidney, liver or lung disease are less obvious. The most common cause of fatigue is infections, illnesses and certain minerals and vitamins. For example iron deficiency can trigger fatigue, but it’s treated by eating more foods that contain the mineral like red meat, spinach, and fish.
Many people who suffer from depression feel exhausted and like they don’t have the energy to accomplish anything. This can cause problems at work, in relationships, and in everyday activities. It can also make it harder to keep a healthy weight or take regular exercise.
You can use various self-measurement surveys to determine the level of fatigue you’re feeling. The Fatigue Severity Scale and the Fatigue Severity Inventory are two among the most popular. Both require you to answer a set of questions about your physical and emotional functioning in the past month. Your answers are then used to calculate scores, with higher scores indicating more fatigue.
Sleeping difficulties
If you have trouble sleeping, you may be depressed. If you have trouble falling asleep, getting to sleep, or waking often during the night, it could affect your ability to function during the day. It can also contribute to anxiety, fatigue, and weight gain.
Other physical signs of depression include a feeling of heaviness or weightiness, stomach pain, bloating or abdominal distention as well as difficulty digesting food, reduced sexual desire or dysfunction and appetite changes. In the study, 69% of patients who were treated for depression reported somatic symptoms, in addition to a mood depressed.
Depression can also affect your eyesight and make the world appear hazy and blurry. In some cases, this is due to a change in how the brain processes visual information. This can cause you struggle with reading, driving or working with numbers.
A decrease in energy fatigue, fatigue, and an absence of enthusiasm for pleasurable activities can make it difficult to stick to an exercise routine. This can lead to a decline in fitness and weight gain and also a deterioration of depression.
A variety of medical conditions can cause depression, including infectious diseases like hepatitis C or HIV cancer, neurodegenerative disorders and heart disease. Some medications can also cause depression, such as antipsychotics and neurotransmitter inhibitors.
In some cases depression may be caused by an event in the life or hormonal change. Depressive episodes are common in women who have experienced childbirth, pregnancy postpartum depression, menopause. Women who suffer from bipolar disorder may also experience depressive episodes as well as manic episodes characterized by increased activity and a higher sense of elation.
If you’re experiencing these physical signs of depression, it’s best to consult your primary care physician or a mental health indicators of depression health professional as soon as you can. They will be able to assess your symptoms of bipolar depression and provide treatment options such as psychotherapy or medications. If your symptoms are severe, they could recommend a more extensive treatment plan that includes electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) or deep brain stimulation (DBS). Talk to your doctor about your options and ways to manage these symptoms so you can stay on the road to recovery.
Headaches
It can be a difficult symptom to identify in particular when the pain is unexplained. The pain that is caused by depression often occurs in the back or head however, it can also manifest throughout the body. The majority of the time, depression-related pain is moderate to mild and doesn’t hinder daily activities. Depression and pain are linked because they share the same neurological pathways and chemicals within the brain. It is also more likely to occur in conjunction with severe depression and it can recur frequently or last longer than you expected.
Headaches, specifically cluster headaches, can be an indication that you’re depressed. Cluster headaches are headaches that happen for one to two month periods, typically in the same order every year. Cluster headaches share similar symptoms of major depressive disorder to regular headaches, but are more intense and last longer. Pain in the chest and stomach may be an indication of depression, as can sweating that is increased, fatigue, and difficulty sleeping.
People with depression may feel less able to control their moods and actions and can cause self-destructive behaviours such as excessive eating or drinking alcohol. They might also have changes in their appetite, including cravings for food that aren’t normal for them. People with depression may experience digestive issues, like diarrhea or constipation.
Muscle and back pain can be a sign of depression, and it’s often associated with bad posture or injuries. The pain can be caused by stress or certain foods and is more prevalent for women than men. Depression can cause back and muscle pain, due to the fact that it affects nerve pathways that regulate the pain and mood receptors.
Other signs of depression are changes in the voice of a person and movements. They may also experience slowness in their movements and unintentional movements like fidgeting or the habit of pacing. Depression can also affect your ability to concentrate, remember things, and make decisions. If you’ve experienced symptoms for a prolonged period it is crucial to make an appointment with a doctor. A health care specialist can assist you in connecting to treatment options including psychotherapy and medication.
Muscle Aches
Muscle aches are a common indication of depression. They can be painful. It can be difficult to diagnose depression when the first Early symptoms of major depression (unsplash.Com) are not obvious aches and pains. Neurotransmitters such serotonin or norepinephrine play a role in the link between depression and pain. Insufficient regulation of these transmitters can cause depression and pain. The pain-depression link is also bidirectional. Chronic pain can trigger depression, and depression can cause chronic pain to become worse.
In many instances, the aches and pains caused by depression can be treated by using home remedies. Exercise, a proper diet and sufficient sleep can help you manage the pain and improve mood. If you are suffering from chronic pain, your physician may prescribe medicine or refer you to a specialized pain clinic.
Generalized muscle aches could be an indication of rhabdomyolysis an illness that causes breakdown of muscle tissues and the release of harmful substances into the bloodstream. This condition can be caused by exercise too vigorously, certain medications, or illicit drugs. Other types of muscle aches are fungal, viral or parasitic infections. These can be treated with antiviral, antifungal or antiparasitic drugs.
If you have generalized muscle aches it is important to visit your doctor or therapist for a thorough assessment. If the aches and pains are a result of an underlying illness your doctor will recommend treatment, such as exercises, stretching and hydration. Over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen or aspirin, may ease the discomfort. If you suspect that your pains and discomforts are caused by depression, talk to your therapist or doctor to identify and manage the underlying causes.