Severe Depression Physical Symptoms
The physical manifestations of depression that are severe include fatigue, sleep issues and pain. Depression affects everyone differently, but there are many ways to deal with the symptoms and seek assistance should you need it.
It’s normal for all of us to feel sad or down at times However, if these feelings are persistent and interfere with daily life it could indicate depression. People can may also suffer from depression due to long-term stress.
Fatigue
Fatigue is a typical and severe indicator of depression. Even when you’re getting enough sleep, it can feel like a constant, incessant fatigue. Fatigue can also be a result of certain antidepressant medicines which is why it’s essential to discuss your symptoms with your physician.
There’s no exact definition of fatigue, but it’s typically described as a feeling of tiredness that persists over a long period of time and interferes with your daily life. The fatigue may be associated with other symptoms that include difficulty falling asleep or sleeping and muscle pain, changes in appetite and feelings of weakness or inability to move or exercise. Certain studies have shown that those suffering from depression are more tired than those who are not suffering from the condition.
Some causes of fatigue, such as excessive work, not eating a healthy diet, and excessive alcohol or drug usage, are obvious. However, other causes of fatigue aren’t as apparent and could be due to thyroid disease, anemia or chronic liver, kidney or lung disorders. Fatigue can be triggered by illnesses, infections and certain minerals and vitamins. For instance iron deficiency may cause fatigue, but it’s easily managed by eating more foods that contain iron like spinach, red meat and fish.
Many people with depression are exhausted and feel like they don’t have the energy to accomplish anything. This can cause problems at work, with relationships and in daily activities. Fatigue can make it difficult to maintain a healthy weight or get regular exercise.
You can utilize a variety of self-measurement surveys to determine the degree of fatigue you’re feeling. The Fatigue Severity Scale and the Fatigue Severity Inventory are two of the most popular. Both ask you to answer questions about your physical and emotional health during the past month. Your responses are used to calculate scores, with higher scores indicating more fatigue.
Sleeping difficulties
If you’re having trouble sleeping, you may be depressed. If you’re having difficulty falling asleep or sleeping through the night, or awakening frequently during the night, it could hinder your ability to function through the day. It may also contribute to fatigue, irritability, and weight gain.
Other physical symptoms include a feeling or weightiness 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 study in which 69 percent of patients diagnosed with depression experienced somatic symptoms in addition to a depressed mood.
Depression can also affect your eyesight which can make the world appear blurry and hazy. In some cases, this is due to a change in the way the brain processes visual information. This can lead to difficulties with reading, driving or working with numbers.
It can be difficult to maintain if you are tired and drained of energy. You may also lack interest in enjoyable activities. This can lead you to a poorer fitness level and weight gain, as well as depression.
A variety of medical conditions can cause depression, including infections like Hepatitis C or HIV cancer, as well as neurodegenerative diseases and heart disease. Certain medications can also trigger depression, like antipsychotics and neurotransmitter inhibitors.
Depression can be caused by an event that has a dramatic impact on your life or a hormonal change. Menopausal, childbirth, and postpartum depression are all linked with depressive episodes in a few women. Women with bipolar disorder can also experience depressive disorder symptoms episodes and manic episodes with more activity and a greater sense of elation.
If you are suffering from these physical symptoms of bipolar depression of depression, it is important to see your primary depression symptoms care physician or a mental healthcare professional as quickly as possible. They’ll be able to evaluate your symptoms and offer treatments like psychotherapy or medication. If your early symptoms of major depression are severe, they could suggest a more intense course of treatment that includes electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) or deep brain stimulation (DBS). Talk to your doctor to learn about the options available to you.
Headaches
Pain is a difficult symptom to detect, particularly if it is not explained. Depression-related pain can occur anywhere in the body including the back and head. Typically, pain from depression is moderate to mild and doesn’t interfere with daily activities. Depression and pain are linked because they share the same neurological pathways and chemical processes in the brain. It is also more likely to occur in conjunction with severe depression and can be recurring or last longer than expected.
Headaches are a sign of depression especially if they’re cluster headaches. Cluster headaches are those that last for up to two month periods, usually at the same time each year. The symptoms of cluster headaches are similar to regular headache, but they are more severe and last longer. The pain in the chest and stomach can also be an indication of depression as can increased sweating and fatigue as well as trouble sleeping.
People with depression are often less in control of their emotions and actions and this can cause self-destructive behaviours such as drinking excessively or eating too much alcohol. There may be changes in their appetite, such as cravings for food that aren’t typical for them. People with depression may experience digestive issues like vomiting or indigestion.
Back and muscle pain can be another sign signs of being depressed depression, and is typically associated with poor posture or injuries. This pain can be exacerbated by stress or certain foods and is more frequent for women than men. Depression can trigger back and muscle pain, as it alters nerve pathways that control emotions and pain receptors.
Other indicators of depression include changes in the voice of a person, slowness of movements, and a lack of motivation for movement, such as fidgeting or pacing. Depression can also make it more difficult to focus and remember information and some sufferers have difficulties making decisions. If you’ve experienced symptoms for a long time, it is important to schedule an appointment with a doctor. A health care specialist can assist you in connecting to treatment options, such as psychotherapy and medication.
Muscle Aches
Muscle aches can be very painful and a typical symptom of depression. Vague aches and pains may be the first sign of depression to show up and are difficult to identify. Neurotransmitters like serotonin and norepinephrine play a role in the link between depression and pain. Dysregulation of transmitters can lead to depression and pain. The link between depression and pain is bidirectional. Chronic pain can cause clinical depression symptoms to become more severe and depression can cause chronic pain to get worse.
In a lot of instances, the aches and pains caused by depression can be alleviated by using home remedies. Exercise, a proper diet and adequate sleep can help manage pain and improve mood. If you suffer from chronic pain, your healthcare provider may prescribe medication or recommend a specialized pain clinic.
Generalized muscle pains can be a sign of rhabdomyolysis, a condition that causes the breaking down of muscle tissues and release of harmful substances into the bloodstream. This condition can be caused by excessive exercise and certain medications or illicit drugs. Other types of muscle aches include fungal, viral or parasitic infections, which can be treated with antiviral, antifungal 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 disease Your healthcare professional will recommend treatment, including stretching exercises, hydration and stretching. Aspirin and ibuprofen are available non-prescription pain relievers that aid in relieving discomfort. If you suspect that your pains and discomforts are caused by depression, speak to your therapist or doctor to pinpoint and address the root causes.