Severe Depression Physical Symptoms
Depression that is severe can trigger physical symptoms, such as fatigue, pain and difficulty sleeping. People with depression experience different effects however there are ways to manage these symptoms and seek assistance when needed.
It’s common for us to feel down or sad at times, but if they persist and interfere with our daily lives, this could be a sign of depression. People who suffer from depression are often because of long-term stress.
Fatigue
Fatigue is a typical and significant symptom of depression. Even if you’re getting enough rest, it can feel like a constant and unrelenting fatigue. Fatigue is also a side effect of some antidepressant medicines and it’s crucial to discuss your symptoms with your doctor.
There isn’t a precise definition of fatigue, but it is described as a persistent feeling of tiredness which interferes with everyday activities. The fatigue may be accompanied by other symptoms such as difficulty falling asleep or sleeping, muscle pain or discomfort, changes in appetite, feelings of weakness or inability to move or exercise. According to studies, people suffering from depression are more exhausted than those who are not suffering from the condition.
Certain causes of fatigue, including excessive work, eating a healthy diet, and excessive alcohol or drug usage are evident. Other causes of fatigue, like anemia, thyroid diseases and chronic kidney, liver or lung diseases, are less obvious. Fatigue is often caused by infections, illnesses and certain vitamins and mineral supplements. For example iron deficiency may cause fatigue, but it can be treated by eating more foods that contain iron, such as spinach, red meat and fish.
Many people suffering from depression feel exhausted and that they lack the energy to accomplish anything. This can lead to problems at work, in relationships, and in day-to-day activities. Fatigue can make it difficult to maintain a healthy body weight or to maintain regular exercise.
There are many different self-measurement tests that can aid in determining the degree of fatigue you’re experiencing. The Fatigue Severity Scale and the Fatigue Severity Inventory are two of the most well-known. Both require you to answer questions regarding your physical and emotional functioning during the past month. Your answers are used to create a scoring system which will give you higher scores, which indicate more fatigue.
Difficulty Sleeping
If you’re experiencing trouble sleeping, it may be a sign that you’re depressed. Difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep, or awakening often during the night, could hinder your ability to perform throughout the day. It may contribute to fatigue, irritability and weight increase.
Other physical symptoms include a feeling or feeling of weight or heaviness, stomach pain or bloating, difficulties in digesting food, a decreased desire to be sexually active or dysfunction and changes in appetite. In a recent study 69% patients diagnosed with depression also reported physical symptoms.
Depression can also affect your eyesight which can make the world appear blurry and hazy. This can be due to a change of how the brain processes visual information. This can cause you to be unable to read, drive or working with numbers.
A decrease in energy and fatigue as well as a lack of interest in pleasurable activities can make it difficult to keep up an exercise routine. This can result in lower fitness and weight gain, as well as a worsening of depression.
Many medical conditions can cause depression, including infectious diseases such as Hepatitis C or HIV cancer, heart disease and neurodegenerative disorders. Certain medications can also trigger depression, including antipsychotics and neurotransmitter inhibitors.
Depression can be triggered by an event that has a dramatic impact on your life or a hormonal changes. Pregnancy, childbirth, menopause and postpartum depression are all linked with depressive episodes in a few women. Bipolar disordered women may also suffer from depressive symptoms and manic phases with more activity and a greater feeling of elation.
If you are experiencing these physical symptoms of depression, it is essential to visit your primary care physician or a mental health professional as soon as possible. They can assess your symptoms and recommend options for treatment, such as psychotherapy or medications. If your symptoms are severe they might suggest more intensive treatment, such as electroconvulsive (ECT) therapy or deep brain stimulation. Talk to your doctor to learn about your options.
Headaches
Pain can be a difficult symptom to recognize, especially when the pain is not explained. Pain that is related to depression is usually felt in the back or the head however, it can also be felt throughout the body. Typically, pain from depression is moderate to mild and doesn’t affect everyday activities. Depression and pain are related because they share the same neurological pathways and chemicals within the brain. Pain is also more likely to be associated with depression that is severe, and can be recurring or last longer than you expected.
Headaches are an indication of depression, especially if they’re cluster headaches. Cluster headaches are headaches that occur for a period behavioral signs of depression one to two months intervals, typically in the same order every year. Cluster headaches are similar like regular headaches, however they are more intense and last for longer. Pain in the chest or stomach could be an indication of depression, as can sweating that is increased, fatigue, and difficulty sleeping.
People who have depression tend to feel less in control of their moods and behaviors, and that can sometimes cause self-destructive behaviours such as excessive eating or drinking alcohol. There may be changes in their appetites, which can include cravings for food that aren’t normal for them. Some people with depression have digestive issues, such as diarrhea or an indigestion.
Muscle and back pain could be a sign signs of depression in elderly parents depression, and it’s typically associated with poor posture or injuries. This type of pain can be made worse by stress or certain food items, and is more common for women than men. Depression is thought to cause back and muscle pain due to the fact that it affects the nerve pathways that control both mood and pain receptors.
Other indicators of depression include changes in a person’s voice or movements, a slowing of their movements and a lack of motivation for movement, such as fidgeting or walking. Depression can also make it difficult to concentrate and remember things, and some people have difficulties making decisions. No matter if your symptoms are physical or emotional it is important to make an appointment with your doctor when you’ve been experiencing them for a while. A health professional will assist you in determining solutions like psychotherapy or medication.
Muscle Aches
Muscle aches can be very painful and a common symptom of depression. It can be difficult to identify depression when the first internal signs of depression are not obvious aches and pains. Neurotransmitters such serotonin or norepinephrine are the reason for the connection between depression and pain. Insufficiency in these transmitters could cause depression and pain. The pain-depression link is also bidirectional. Chronic pain can cause depression to become more severe and depression may make chronic pain worse.
In many instances the pains and aches caused by depression can be treated by using home remedies. Exercise, a healthy diet and enough sleep can improve mood and reduce pain. If you are suffering from chronic pain, you might be prescribed medicine by your doctor or referred to an area pain clinic.
Rhabdomyolysis is a condition that can cause generalized muscle pains. This condition triggers the breakdown of muscle tissue as well as the release of harmful substances in the bloodstream. This condition can be triggered through over-training or certain medications, or by illicit drugs. Other forms of muscle aches include fungal, viral or parasitic infections. These can be treated with antifungal, antiviral or antiparasitic medication.
If you experience generalized muscle pain, it’s important to consult your doctor or therapist. If the pains and aches are caused by an underlying illness your doctor will recommend treatment, including stretching, exercises and hydration. Over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen or aspirin, may ease the discomfort. If you feel that your pains and aches are caused by depression, speak to your doctor or therapist about identifying and addressing the root causes that cause the symptoms.