Physical Symptoms of Depression
Depression can manifest in many different ways both physically and emotionally. Fatigue is a common physical symptom of depression. Pain is a different sign of depression, whether it's a backache, headache or other body pains.
If your child seems depressed or down most of the time, you should have a talk with a healthcare professional about it. Depression can be a serious issue.
Fatigue and difficulty sleeping
Depression can cause fatigue and make it difficult to fall asleep. 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, it may be due to these drugs or a different issue such as seasonal affective disorder. Talk with your doctor about altering your medication or the dosage.
It can be a sign of other health issues, such as chronic illness or vitamin deficiencies. If you are suffering from chronic fatigue that is causing problems with your daily routine or isn't improving after a healthy diet or rest it could be worth making an appointment with your doctor.
It's normal for you to feel tired, especially after a sleepless or stressful night. However, if fatigue is a persistent symptom of depression or anxiety, it could be a sign that there's a root issue that needs to be addressed. Depression can cause you to lose interest in activities that used to keep you feel fulfilled or happy. This can make it difficult to sustain regular exercise and activities. This can lead to a decline in physical fitness, weight changes and decreased energy levels.
depression symptoms in men www.iampsychiatry.com and pains may be a sign of depression, because they are connected to physical and emotional symptoms. It is believed that the connection between depression and pain is due to a feedback loop in which inflammatory chemicals such as cytokines can contribute to depression as well as pain.
People suffering from depression typically have a reduced appetite which can result in weight gain or weight loss. A loss of appetite can be followed by vomiting and nausea which makes it difficult to consume food. In extreme cases, depression may lead to malnutrition and dehydration.
It's important to consult your doctor if you think that you or someone you know is suffering from depression. You could be referred an specialist who can help you identify treatment options that are right for your situation. To establish the diagnosis your healthcare professional will ask you questions about your physical and mental health. They might also conduct an examination of your body and ask about your diet, lifestyle and medications you take.
Headaches
Depression is a condition of the mood that affects the body and mind. It can trigger physical symptoms, such as pain and fatigue that people may not be aware of. It is also important to note that different cultures may perceive and experience depression in different ways. Some Asian Americans, for example, describe and recognize depression primarily as physical rather than emotional. This can have an impact on the treatment and care they receive.
Headaches are a common physical symptom of depression. Depression-related headaches tend to be milder than migraines and are often treated with over-the-counter medications. Headaches can be caused by numerous factors, like stress or poor sleeping habits or changes in diet. They can also be an indication of a medical condition, such as irritable bowel or a gastrointestinal disorder.
Depression can also trigger, or worsen, other forms of pain such as lower backaches and muscle pain. The same nerve pathways that affect your mood also affect body parts that experience pain. Depression can decrease your pain tolerance, making you more sensitive to pain. It can also cause the pain to last longer and cause problems with your ability to function.
Pains and aches can make it difficult for you to concentrate on your work, and they may hinder your enjoyment of activities, sports, or other activities you like. If you are experiencing these symptoms, talk to your doctor or a mental health professional right away. They can assist you in finding solutions that can help you feel better.
Everyone feels sad or "down in the down" at times, but when these feelings persist for most of the day and nearly every day, and greatly impact your everyday functioning it could indicate that you are depressed. Request an answer from your GP if you have these symptoms. If you are unable visit your GP, speak to a trusted friend, family member or a religious leader another person. If you're thinking of suicide, call 911 or the emergency number of your local area immediately.
Muscle Aches
People who experience depression often have a mix of mental and physical symptoms. This is due to how the body and the brain interact. Depression is often accompanied by pain and fatigue. Achy joints and vague discomforts and aches can be signs.
While it's normal to be down at times, feeling depressed is more intense than sadness that comes and goes. Depression lasts longer and affects all aspects of our lives. The most prevalent form of depression is called major depressive disorder, when a person feels sad or depressed nearly every day for at minimum two weeks. This type of depression could be accompanied by other symptoms like sleep issues or a loss of interest in certain activities. Other forms of depression include seasonal affective disorder (when symptoms change with the seasons) and persistent depressive disorder (which is less severe but lasts for at least two years) and psychotic depression. Psychotic depression is a kind of depression that can trigger hallucinations and other symptoms that resemble schizophrenia.
Depression can make it difficult to exercise or eat healthy and this can make the pain worse. Depression can also trigger inflammation in the body, making it more sensitive to pain. Depression can also lead to unhealthy habits like excessive smoking, drinking or a lack of sleep. Many of the conditions that cause depression can also lead to chronic pain such as arthritis and fibromyalgia.
A therapist can help treat depression and the associated physical symptoms, like muscle aches. There are some things that can be done at home, like getting enough rest, exercising regularly, reducing stress and doing yoga or meditation. A healthy diet and drinking plenty of fluids can also aid. If home remedies don't relieve the pain it is important to see a physician. They can prescribe medication, offer treatment options and send you to a specialist if necessary. It's recommended to try to warm up and cool down prior to exercising, and also to stretch your muscles as far as possible throughout the day.
Digestive Issues
When people are depressed they may experience digestive issues. This could include feeling nauseated or constipation, as well as diarrhoea. This is because depression affects the way that a person reacts to stress. Additionally the low energy levels that come with depression can mean that a person is less likely to eat, and this can lead to weight gain or loss, dependent on the circumstances.
Certain depression symptoms are caused by physical issues, such as heart disease. Depression causes the body's stress hormones to rise, which can cause your blood pressure to increase and tighten your arteries. This can increase the risk of developing atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, also known as CVD. Depression also lowers your immune system, which can make you more prone to infections and illness.
Many people don't recognize depression as a physical symptom, because they are more focused on the emotional and psychological feelings of sadness and hopelessness. If you are experiencing unavoidable, unanswered symptoms that affect your daily routine and don't improve with time, consult your doctor.
A medical professional can assess your symptoms to determine if they are caused by a physical problem such as a vitamin deficit, hormonal imbalance, or neurological problem. The doctor will take these factors into account and recommend a treatment plan.
A medical professional will ask you questions about your mental and physical health in the past and present and will perform a physical exam to rule out other reasons for your symptoms, like a thyroid disorder or vitamin deficiencies. In some instances it is possible to perform imaging or laboratory tests to rule out medical conditions that may be a cause of depression.
Some depression treatment options rely on the use of a variety of medications to improve mood and alleviate physical symptoms. Other treatments involve changes to lifestyle like eating a healthy diet and reducing pain triggers. Talk therapy is a crucial element of treatment for depression since it can teach you new techniques for coping and relaxation. In some cases, the use of drugs or alcohol to ease physical symptoms could be a sign that you're battling depression.