Physiological Symptoms of Depression
Depression can manifest in a variety of ways. Certain symptoms are more obvious than other.
Everyone experiences sadness or depression occasionally, but if these feelings occur all the time for at least two weeks and cause disruption to daily activities, it may be a sign of depression. Some people have physical symptoms, such as stomach pain.
Fatigue
Even healthy people who sleep enough might feel tired, particularly after a long workday or a strenuous workout. When this feeling is persistent and continuous it could indicate that you're depressed.
A persistent, unexplained fatigue can hinder your ability to work or spend time with family and friends. Schedule an appointment to discuss your concerns with your doctor If this happens to you.
The causes of depression-related fatigue vary between individuals and can include medication or medical conditions or an infection. If you are taking an upcoming medication, consult your doctor about the adverse effects. It is often possible to treat the medical problem that is causing your fatigue.
Fatigue may also be an indication of anemia which is when your blood cells contain too little red blood cells, or hemoglobin, a protein that transports oxygen in the bloodstream. If you have anemia your doctor might prescribe iron supplements or suggest eating foods high in iron.
Depression is linked to the ways your body and brain work together, so some physical changes can be an indication of depression. You might notice that you speak slower and move slower, with more breaks, and a monotone voice. symptoms of depression symptoms of depression might feel that your body is heavier or that your movements are less powerful.
Another frequent symptom is stomach pain. Depression can affect the way your body processes and perceives pain. You may have headaches that are more intense or last for a longer time as well as chest or stomach discomfort. Depression can also affect how your body experiences pain from other sources such as cancer or a car crash.
Certain studies have found that depression can also affect vision. Depressed people may see things as blurry or hazy. This is believed to be caused by a portion of the brain responsible for processing emotions. The cause could be due to the way nerve cells in the brain process emotional information, as well as signals from your body that signal pain.
Sleep Problems
Many people are unaware that depression can also cause physical symptoms. The stomach ache, fatigue and pains are all possible physical manifestations of depression.1
Depression is often linked to sleep issues. You may have trouble getting to sleep or getting asleep. You might also wake up often during the night, or too early in the morning. You may also have changes in your sleeping cycle, like having a longer sleep time during the day, or getting up late at night. Insomnia can be an indication of depression, and can increase the likelihood of future episodes, especially if it is chronic.
Fatigue is a common side effect of antidepressant medications However, it can be caused by depression or by other illnesses and conditions. Consult your physician if you feel fatigued frequently to determine if the fatigue is caused by depression.
A lack of energy can make it difficult to concentrate or do daily tasks. This is a common manifestation of depression, and is often difficult to manage on your own. It is crucial to consume a balanced diet and exercise regularly to increase your energy level.
Unexpected aches and pains such as backaches, headaches or abdominal cramps can be a symptom of depression. The connection between these pains and depression is thought to be due to a biological process that involves hormones and nerve pathways.
In some cases depression can impact your ability to fight off illnesses. Stress associated with depression over time can cause the decrease of white blood cell production, making you more prone to illnesses such as colds and flu.
When you're depressed communication with others may be more difficult. Depression can cause a loss of interest in activities that normally provide pleasure and can result in speaking slower and with less articulated. People with depression may lose the ability to maintain eye contact or maintain a normal facial expression.
Changes in appetite
Depression is often associated with an absence of appetite or a need to consume more food. Eating can be a difficult task for people suffering from depression, so certain people experience weight gain while others have an appetite reduction and lose weight. These physical changes can be a sign of serious depression or may be a symptom of bipolar disorder.
The link between physical symptoms and depression is linked to neurotransmitters that influence mood and pain threshold, as well as sleep. When you're depressed, serotonin levels are out of balance. This impacts how you perceive pain, and your body's response to it. People suffering from chronic back pain or other types of pain report feeling more depressed. It is because they are experiencing physical and emotional stress that can trigger more negative feelings, including sadness and hopelessness.
Depression can cause people to feel anxious and stressed, which can lead to self-harm or even suicide. This is why it is important to seek treatment as soon as possible when you experience these symptoms. A medical professional will conduct an extensive medical assessment to determine the cause of your symptoms. This will include a review your medical, family and personal history, as and a physical exam. The evaluation will include imaging and laboratory tests to screen for medical problems that can mimic depression such as hormone imbalances, vitamin deficiencies or neurological disorders.
Many people aren't aware they suffer from depression since the symptoms show up slowly and are difficult to identify. It can be difficult for some to seek help since they believe their depression is "normal" or something that everyone experiences at some time. Depression is a serious illness, and it can have a negative impact on a person's life and overall health.
There are many factors that increase the likelihood of having depression, including genetics, being exposed to violence or other traumatic events as a child or the effects of life-changing events like loss, bereavement, or unemployment. Some personal characteristics can also put you at risk. They include low self-esteem and being easily overwhelmed by stressful situations.
Pain
Depression is a real condition that can cause a variety of physical symptoms. The symptoms could include the feeling of being depressed or "down in the dumps," feelings of despair sadness, irritability, aches and pains as well as sleep disturbances and changes in food habits. Depression can affect women and men of all different ages, regardless of economic status, culture or background.
The occurrence of mood-related exhaustion is a typical depression sign. Many people suffering from the disorder experience sleep issues and are exhausted all day long. Some people are so exhausted that getting up is a struggle. Some people may feel that their energy levels are lower than usual, and they are more susceptible to becoming sick or suffering from colds. This is because the stress of depression, along with changes in appetite or weight loss, can affect the immune system and increase the susceptibility to infection.
People who suffer from depression are often afflicted with aches or experiencing stomach, back or joint pain. Some people may have difficulty in concentrating or remembering things. It's unclear the reasons for these physical symptoms, but depression may alter the way the body processes information regarding pain. The brain's network that moderates moods and emotions is connected to the brain's networks that process information for sensing physical pain, and depression could cause a disruption in these areas.
Depression can also trigger an alteration in the way people see. This can affect the clarity of one's eyesight, or cause a feeling that things look dull or lack contrast. Other signs of depression of the visual region include eye twitching, blurred vision and a tendency to blink a lot.
Tell your doctor all the physical symptoms that you experience, even if they don't seem to be related to your mood. These symptoms can be caused by medication that treat depression and it's crucial that you and your health care physician work together to lessen the effects.