Severe Depression Physical Symptoms
Severe depression can cause physical symptoms such as discomfort, fatigue and trouble sleeping. Depression is different for everyone, but there are many ways to cope with the symptoms and seek help should you need it.
It's normal to feel sad or depressed at times but if they continue and become a problem in our daily routine, this could be a sign of depression. Certain people suffer from depression due to long-term stress.
Fatigue
Fatigue is a frequent and severe indicator of depression. Even if you're getting enough rest, it can feel like a constant, unrelenting fatigue. Fatigue is a common side effect of some antidepressant medications which is why it's essential to discuss your symptoms with your physician.
There isn't a precise definition of fatigue, but it can be described as a constant feeling of tiredness which interferes with everyday activities. It can be accompanied by a number of other symptoms like difficulty sleeping or falling asleep. Other signs include muscle pain, changes in appetite and a feeling of weakness. Some studies have revealed that depression sufferers experience more fatigue than others who do not suffer from the condition.
Certain causes of fatigue are obvious, such as being exhausted, not eating a balanced diet and excessive alcohol or drug use. Other causes of fatigue, including anemia, thyroid diseases and chronic kidney, liver, or lung disease, are less obvious. Fatigue can be triggered by infections, illness and certain vitamins and minerals. For example iron deficiency may cause fatigue, but it's managed by eating more foods that contain the mineral, such as red meat, spinach and fish.
Many people who suffer from depression feel that they have no energy and feel too exhausted to complete any task. This can lead to problems at work, in relationships, and in everyday activities. In addition, fatigue can make it difficult to maintain a healthy weight and get regular exercise.
There are numerous self-measurement questionnaires 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 a series of questions regarding your emotional and physical health in the past month. Your answers are then used to determine scores and higher scores indicate higher levels of fatigue.
Difficulty Sleeping
If you're experiencing difficulties sleeping, it could be a sign that you're depressed. Difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep, or awakening often in the night could hinder your ability to function throughout the day and could cause stress, fatigue, and weight gain.
Other physical symptoms include a feeling of heavy or heavy feeling stomach pain or bloating, difficulties in digesting food, reduced desire to engage in sexual activities or dysfunction, and changes in appetite. In a recent study, 69% patients diagnosed with depression also reported somatic symptoms.
Depression can also affect your eyesight and make the world appear hazy and blurry. This could be due an alteration in the way your brain processes visual information. This can cause you have trouble reading, driving or working with numbers.
A loss of energy, fatigue and a lack of interest in pleasurable activities can make it difficult to maintain an exercise routine. This could lead to a poorer fitness level, weight gain and depression.
A variety of medical conditions can cause depression, including infectious diseases such as Hepatitis C or HIV, cancer, neurodegenerative diseases and heart disease. Certain medications, like antipsychotics and neurotransmitter inhibitors, can also cause depression.
In some instances depression can be triggered by an event in life or hormonal changes. Pregnancy, childbirth, menopause and postpartum depression are all associated with depression-related episodes in certain women. Bipolar disorder sufferers may also experience depressive episodes, as well as manic episodes characterized by an increase in activity and a greater feeling of elation.
If you're experiencing physical signs of depression, you should consult your primary care physician or a mental health professional as soon as you can. They will be able to assess your symptoms and offer treatment options like psychotherapy or medication. If your symptoms are severe, they could suggest a more intensive treatment program, such as electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) or deep brain stimulation (DBS). Talk to your doctor about your options and how to manage these symptoms, to ensure you stay on the road to recovery.
Headaches
The symptom of pain is difficult to recognize, particularly if it is not explained. Pain that is related to depression is usually felt in the back or the head however, it can also manifest throughout the body. Usually, the pain associated with depression is mild to moderate and doesn't interfere with daily activities. Depression and pain are related because they share the same neurological pathways and chemical processes in the brain. Pain is more likely to be associated with depressive episodes that are severe and may happen more frequently or last for longer.
Headaches can be an indication of depression, especially if they are cluster headaches. Cluster headaches are those that last for up to two month periods, typically in the same order every year. symptoms of depression for men of cluster headaches are similar to a regular headache, however they are more intense and last for a longer time. Pain in the chest or stomach may also be a sign of depression, as well as increased sweating and fatigue as well as trouble sleeping.
Depression can make people feel like they have less control over their feelings and actions. This could lead to self destructive behavior such as drinking excessively or eating too much. They may also experience changes in their appetites, which can include cravings for food that aren't normal for them. Certain people suffering from depression suffer from digestive problems such as vomiting or Indigestion.
Muscle pain and back pain is another symptom of depression. It's often related to injuries or poor posture. This type of pain is more prevalent in women. It can be made worse by stress or certain foods. Depression is thought to trigger back and muscle pain because it alters the nerve pathways that process both mood and pain receptors.
Other signs of depression are changes in voice, a slowing of movements, and involuntary movements like fidgeting. Depression can also make it more difficult to concentrate and remember things and some people experience difficulty making decisions. No matter if your symptoms are physical or emotional you should schedule an appointment with a doctor when you've been experiencing them for a while. A health specialist can assist you in connecting to treatment options, like psychotherapy and medications.
Muscle Aches
Muscle pains are a typical indication of depression. They can be painful. Aches and pains that are vague could be the first signs of depression to appear, making it difficult to diagnose. Neurotransmitters like serotonin and norepinephrine are responsible for the link between depression and pain. Insufficient regulation of transmitters can lead to depression and pain. The pain-depression connection is also bidirectional: depression can increase the severity of pain and chronic pain can cause depression to worsen.
Many of the aches and discomforts that depression can be addressed at home. A healthy diet, exercise and adequate sleep can help reduce the pain and improve mood. If you suffer from chronic pain, you may be prescribed medicine by your physician or directed to an area pain clinic.
Generalized muscle aches could be a sign of rhabdomyolysis, an illness that causes breakdown of muscle tissue and the release of harmful substances into the bloodstream. This condition can be caused by overuse, certain medications, or illicit drugs. Other forms of muscle pain are fungal, viral or parasitic conditions, which can be treated with antiviral, antifungal or antiparasitic medication.
If you are experiencing generalized muscle pain, it's crucial to consult your physician or therapist. If the aches and pains are related to an underlying condition Your healthcare professional will suggest treatment, which could include stretching exercises, hydration and stretching. Aspirin and Ibuprofen are both over-the-counter pain relievers that can help ease discomfort. If you feel that your pains and aches are a result of depression, speak to your doctor or therapist about identifying and managing the root causes that cause the symptoms.