Severe Depression Physical Symptoms
A severe depression can cause physical symptoms like discomfort, fatigue and trouble sleeping. 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 us to feel sad or depressed at times however if they last and become a problem in our daily lives, this could be a sign of depression. Certain people suffer from depression due to chronic stress.
Fatigue
Fatigue is a frequent and significant symptom of depression. It's like having a constant and constant fatigue even when you're sleeping enough. It can also be an effect of antidepressant medication and you should talk about your symptoms with a physician.
There's no precise definition of fatigue, but it's usually described as a feeling of fatigue that lasts for a long period of time and interferes with your everyday life. It can be accompanied by various other symptoms like difficulty falling or staying asleep. Other symptoms include muscle pain, changes in appetite and a feeling of weakness. Certain studies have shown that depression sufferers have more fatigue than people without the condition.
Some causes of fatigue are obvious, like being exhausted and not eating a balanced diet, or excessive alcohol or drug use. 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 is usually caused by diseases, infections and vitamins and mineral supplements. For instance iron deficiency may cause fatigue, but it can be treated by eating more food that contain iron like spinach, red meat and fish.
Many people suffering from depression are exhausted and feel that they lack the energy or motivation to do anything. This can lead to problems at work, in relationships, and in day-to-day activities. The fatigue can make it difficult to maintain a healthy weight or to maintain regular exercise.
There are many different self-measurement questionnaires that can help you determine how much fatigue you're feeling. The Fatigue Severity Scale and the Fatigue Severity Inventory are two of the most popular. Both require you to answer a series of questions about your physical and emotional functioning during the last month. Your answers are used to create an assessment system which will give you higher scores, which indicate more fatigue.
Sleeping problems
If you're experiencing trouble sleeping, it may be an indication that you're suffering from depression. Inability to fall asleep or stay asleep, or awakening often in the night can hinder your ability to perform throughout the day. It can cause stress, fatigue, and weight gain.
Other physical signs of depression can include feeling of weightiness or heaviness, stomach discomfort, abdominal bloating or discomfort, difficulty digesting food, reduced sexual desire or dysfunction and appetite changes. In a recent study 69% patients diagnosed with depression also reported physical symptoms.
Depression can also affect your eyesight and make the world appear blurry and hazy. This could be due to an alteration in the way your brain processes visual information. This could cause you to have trouble reading, driving or working with numbers.
A decrease in energy and fatigue as well as an inability to engage in enjoyable activities can make it difficult to keep up the routine of exercise. This can lead to poorer fitness and weight gain, as well as a worsening of depression.
A variety of medical conditions can cause depression, such as infectious diseases such as Hepatitis C or HIV, cancer, heart disease and neurodegenerative disorders. Some medications, including neurotransmitter inhibitors and antipsychotics, can also trigger depression.
Depression can be triggered by an event that changes your life or a hormonal change. Depression is common among women who have had a childbirth experience, pregnancy postpartum depression, menopause. Women with bipolar disorders can also experience depression symptoms, as well as manic episodes that are characterized by an increase in activity and a sense of elation.
If you're experiencing physical symptoms of depression, it's best to 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 treatments such as psychotherapy or medications. If your symptoms are severe, they could suggest a more intensive treatment program like electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) or deep brain stimulation (DBS). Talk to your doctor to discuss the options available to you.
Headaches
Pain is a difficult symptom to detect, particularly if it is not explained. The pain that is triggered by depression is usually felt in the back or head however, it can also be felt throughout the body. Pain from depression is usually moderate to mild, and is not a problem for daily life. The two are connected because they have the same neural pathways and chemical processes in the brain. Pain is more likely to accompany severe depressive episodes and may happen more frequently or last longer.
Headaches can be an indication of depression, especially if they are cluster headaches. These are headaches that typically last for between one and two months at a time, usually at the same time every year. The symptoms of cluster headaches are similar to regular headache, but they are much more intense and last longer. Pain in the chest or stomach can be an indication of depression, as can increased sweating and fatigue as well as trouble sleeping.
People with depression may feel less in control of their moods and behaviors and can result in self-destructive behavior like drinking excessively or eating too much alcohol. People with depression might also notice changes in their appetites, like cravings for foods that aren't typical for them. Certain people suffering from depression suffer from digestive issues like vomiting or Indigestion.
Muscle and back pain could be another symptom of depression, and it's usually associated with poor posture or injuries. This pain can be exacerbated by stress or certain food items and is more frequent in women than males. Depression is believed to cause back and muscle pain since it affects the nerve pathways that regulate both mood and pain receptors.
Other signs 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 affect the ability to concentrate, remember things, and make decisions. Whether your symptoms are emotional or physical, you should make an appointment with your physician when you've been experiencing these symptoms for a while. A health specialist can assist you in connecting to treatment options, such as psychotherapy and medication.
depression and symptoms can be extremely painful and are a typical sign of depression. Aches and pains that are vague could be the first signs of depression to show up, making it difficult to identify. Neurotransmitters like serotonin and norepinephrine play a role in the link between depression and pain. Insufficient regulation of transmitters can result in depression and pain. The link between depression and pain is bidirectional. Chronic pain can make depression worse, and depression can cause chronic pain to become worse.
Many of the pains and discomforts that depression can be addressed at home. Exercise, a healthy diet and adequate sleep can boost mood and reduce pain. If you are suffering from chronic pain, your doctor may prescribe medicine or refer you to a specialized pain clinic.
Rhabdomyolysis can trigger generalized muscle pains. This condition causes the destruction of muscle tissue and the release of harmful substances in the bloodstream. This condition is often triggered by over-strengthening exercise, certain medications or illicit drugs. Other forms of muscle aches are fungal, viral or parasitic infections. These can be treated with antifungal, antiviral or antiparasitic medication.
If you're experiencing generalized muscle pains it is important to visit your therapist or doctor for a complete evaluation. If your pains and aches stem from an underlying condition, your healthcare provider might suggest treatment that includes stretching, hydration and exercises. Pain relievers that are available over-the-counter like ibuprofen or aspirin, can help with the discomfort. If you suspect that your pains and discomforts are due to depression, speak to your doctor or therapist to identify and manage the underlying causes.