Severe Depression Physical Symptoms
Severe depression physical symptoms often include fatigue, difficulty sleeping and pain. Depression affects everyone differently, but there are many ways to deal with the symptoms and seek help should you need it.
It's common for us to feel sad or down sometimes but if they continue and interfere with our daily routine, this could be a sign of depression. Some people also experience depression as a result of chronic stress.
Fatigue
Fatigue is one of the most frequent and severe symptoms of depression. Even if you're getting enough sleep, it can feel like a constant and unrelenting fatigue. It can also be a side-effect of certain antidepressant medications, so you should discuss your symptoms with a doctor.
There's no exact definition of fatigue, but it's generally described as a feeling of tiredness that lasts for a long period of time and interferes with your daily activities. It can be accompanied by various other symptoms like difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep. Other symptoms include muscle pain, changes to appetite, and feelings of weakness. According to some studies, people suffering from depression are more tired than people who are not suffering from the condition.
Some causes of fatigue are obvious, like being exhausted, not eating a balanced diet or excessive use of alcohol or drugs. However other causes of fatigue are less evident and could include thyroid disease, anemia or chronic kidney, liver or lung conditions. Fatigue is usually caused by infections, illnesses and certain minerals and vitamins. Iron deficiency, for example, can cause fatigue. However, it can be easily treated by eating food high in minerals like red meat and spinach.
Many people who suffer from depression feel exhausted and as if they lack the energy to do anything. This can cause issues at work, in relationships and daily activities. Fatigue can make it difficult to keep a healthy weight or get regular exercise.
There are a variety of self-measurement tests that will help you determine the amount of fatigue you're experiencing. They include the Fatigue Symptom Inventory as well as the Fatigue Severity Scale. Both require you to answer a series of questions regarding your emotional and physical functioning over the past month. Your answers are used to build a scoring system, with higher scores indicating more fatigue.
Sleeping problems
If you're experiencing difficulty sleeping, it could be an indication that you're suffering from depression. Trouble falling asleep or staying asleep, or waking up frequently during the night could hinder your ability to perform throughout the day. It can cause stress, fatigue, and weight increase.
Other physical signs of depression can include feeling of weightiness or heaviness, stomach pain, abdominal or bloating distention, difficulty digesting food, decreased sexual desire or dysfunction, and appetite changes. In a recent study, 69% of patients who were treated for depression also had physical symptoms.
Depression can also affect your eyesight which can make the world appear hazy and blurry. This could be due to changes in how the brain processes visual information. This can cause you be unable to read, drive or working with numbers.
A loss of energy and fatigue as well as a lack of interest in enjoyable activities can make it difficult to keep up the routine of exercise. This can lead to a decline in fitness and weight gain, and also a deterioration of depression.
Numerous medical conditions, such as cancer, heart disease, and neurodegenerative disorders, may cause depression. Some medications, including neurotransmitter inhibitors and antipsychotics can cause depression as well.
Depression can sometimes be triggered by a life-changing event or hormonal changes. Depression is common among women who have experienced pregnancy, childbirth, postpartum depression, or menopausal. Women who suffer from bipolar disorder may also experience depressive episodes as well as manic episodes that are associated with increased activity and a higher feeling of elation.
If you're experiencing the
physical symptoms of depression, you must consult your primary care physician or a
mental health indicators of depression mental health symptoms of depression professional as soon as possible. They'll be able to evaluate your symptoms and suggest treatments like psychotherapy or medication. If your symptoms are severe, they might suggest a more intensive treatment program that includes 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 recognize, particularly if it is not explained. The pain that is triggered by depression usually occurs in the head or back however, it can also be felt throughout the body. The majority of the time, depression-related pain is moderate to mild and doesn't interfere with daily activities. The two are connected because they share the exact identical neurochemicals and pathways that are found in the brain. The likelihood of pain is higher to be associated with depression that is severe, and can be recurring or last for longer than anticipated.
Headaches, especially cluster headaches, may be a sign that you are depressed. These are headaches that usually happen for about one to two months at a time, generally at the same time every year. The symptoms of cluster headaches are similar to regular headache, but they are more intense and last longer. Pain in the chest or stomach could also be a sign of depression, as well as increased sweating and fatigue as well as trouble sleeping.
People who suffer from depression may feel that they are not in complete control over their feelings and actions. This could lead to self destructive actions like drinking excessively or eating too much. There may be changes in their appetite, such as cravings for food that aren't typical for them. Certain people who suffer from depression have digestive issues, like constipation or diarrhea.
Muscle and back pain is another symptom of depression. It's usually related to poor posture or injuries. This pain is more common among women. It is often aggravated by stress and certain food items. Depression can trigger back and muscle pain as it alters nerve pathways that control the pain and mood receptors.
Other signs of depression are changes in the voice of a person or movements, a slowing of their movements and purposeless movement such as fidgeting or the habit of pacing. Depression can also make it harder to concentrate and remember things and some sufferers have difficulty making decisions. If you've been suffering from symptoms for a long time, it is important to schedule an appointment with a doctor. A medical professional can assist you in finding treatment options like psychotherapy or medication.
Muscle Aches
Muscle pains are a typical sign of depression. They can be painful. It can be difficult to identify depression when the first behavioral signs of depression (
Articlescad`s blog) are vague aches and pains. The underlying connection between depression and pain is due to neurotransmitters, such as serotonin or norepinephrine. Insufficient regulation of transmitters can result in depression and pain. The pain-depression connection is also bidirectional. Depression can cause pain to become more severe, and chronic pain can make depression worse.
Many of the aches and pains that depression can be addressed at home. Exercise, a proper diet and adequate sleep can help manage the pain and improve mood. If you are suffering from chronic pain, you might be prescribed medicine by your physician or directed to an acupuncture clinic.
Generalized muscle pains can be an indication of rhabdomyolysis an illness that causes breakdown of muscle tissues and release of harmful substances into the bloodstream. This condition can be caused by over-strengthening exercise, certain medications or illicit drugs. Other forms of muscle pain include parasites, fungi, or viral infections. These are treated with antibiotics, antivirals or antiparasitic medicines.
If you experience generalized muscle pain, it is crucial to consult your physician or therapist. If the aches and pains are related to an underlying illness, your healthcare provider will suggest treatment, which could include stretching, exercises and hydration. Aspirin and Ibuprofen are both prescription pain relievers available over the counter that can help ease the discomfort. If your aches and pains are caused by depression, talk to your therapist or doctor about identifying and addressing the root causes that cause the symptoms.