Severe Depression Physical Symptoms
The physical manifestations of depression that are severe include fatigue, difficulty sleeping and pain. Different people experience depression differently, but there are ways to deal with these symptoms and seek help should you require it.
It's normal for all of us to feel sad or depressed at times however if the feelings persist and disrupt your daily routine it could indicate depression. Some people also experience depression as a result of chronic stress.
Fatigue
Fatigue is one of the most common and severe symptoms of depression. Even if you're getting enough sleep, it can feel like constant and incessant fatigue. Fatigue can also be an effect of certain antidepressant medications which is why you should discuss your symptoms with a doctor.
There's no definitive definition of fatigue, but it's usually described as a feeling of tiredness that persists over a long period of time and interferes with your daily life. It can be accompanied by several other symptoms, including difficulty sleeping or falling asleep. Other signs include muscle pain, changes to appetite and a feeling of weakness. Certain studies have shown that those suffering from depression experience more fatigue than others who do not suffer from the condition.
Certain causes of fatigue are evident, for example, being stressed and not eating a balanced diet and excessive alcohol or drug use. However other causes of fatigue aren't so clear and may include thyroid disease, anemia, or chronic kidney, liver or lung diseases. Fatigue can be triggered by infections, illness and certain minerals and vitamins. Iron deficiency, for example causes fatigue. However, it is easily treated by eating food that are rich in minerals like red meat and spinach.
Many people who suffer from depression feel exhausted and as if they lack the energy or motivation to do anything. This can cause difficulties at work, in relationships and in daily activities. It can be difficult to keep a healthy weight or get regular exercise.
You can take advantage of a variety of self-measurement surveys to determine the degree of fatigue you're experiencing. 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 in the past month. Your responses are used to determine scores which is based on your score, with higher scores indicating more fatigue.
Sleeping difficulties
If you have trouble sleeping, you may be depressed. Inability to fall asleep or stay asleep, or awakening often in the night can hinder your ability to perform throughout the day and could cause fatigue, irritability and weight gain.
Other physical symptoms of depression may include a feeling of weightiness or heaviness, stomach pain, bloating or abdominal discomfort, difficulty digesting food, decreased sexual desire or dysfunction, as well as appetite changes. In a study, 69 percent of patients treated for depression had physical symptoms in addition to a depressed mood.
Depression can also affect eyesight. The world can appear blurred or hazy. This could be due to a change of how the brain processes visual data. This can cause problems in reading, driving, or working with numbers.
A decrease in energy fatigue, fatigue, and a lack of interest in enjoyable activities can make it difficult to stick to an exercise routine. This can result in lower fitness and weight gain, as well as an increase in the severity of depression.
Many medical conditions, such as cancer, heart disease, and neurodegenerative disorders, can cause depression. Some medications can also cause depression, like antipsychotics and some neurotransmitter inhibitors.
In certain cases, depression can be caused by an event in life or hormonal changes. Menopausal changes, pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum depression are all associated with depression-related episodes in certain women. Women with bipolar disorder can also experience depressive episodes, and manic episodes characterized by more activity and a greater sense of elation.
If you're experiencing the physical symptoms of depression, you should see your primary care doctor or a mental health professional as soon as you can. They'll be able to evaluate your symptoms and provide treatments such as psychotherapy or medications. If your symptoms are serious, they might suggest more intensive treatment such as electroconvulsive (ECT) therapy or deep brain stimulation. Talk to your doctor to discuss your options.
Headaches
Pain can be a difficult symptom to recognize particularly when the pain is not explained. Pain that is related to depression usually occurs in the head or back however, it can also manifest throughout the body. Depression-related pain is typically moderate to mild and doesn't interfere with daily life. Depression and pain are related because they have the same neural pathways and chemicals in the brain. The likelihood of pain is higher to occur in conjunction with severe depression episodes and may happen more frequently or last longer.
Headaches can be a sign of depression especially if they're cluster headaches. Cluster headaches are those that last for a period of one to two months periods, typically in the same order every year. Cluster headaches share similar symptoms as regular headaches, but are more intense and last longer. Pain in the chest or stomach can be a sign that you're depressed, and also an increase in sweating, fatigue, and sleeplessness.
Depression can cause people to feel like they have less control over their emotions and actions. This could lead to self destructive behaviors such as excessive drinking or overeating. They may also experience changes in their appetites, which can include cravings for food that aren't normal for them. Certain people who suffer from depression have digestive issues, such as diarrhea or constipation.
Muscle and back pain could be another sign of depression, and is usually associated with poor posture or injuries. The pain is more prevalent among women. It can be made worse by stress and certain foods. Depression can trigger back and muscle pain because it affects nerve pathways that control the pain and mood receptors.
Other signs of depression include changes in the voice of a person and movements. They may also experience slowness in their movements and a lack of motivation for movement, such as fidgeting or walking. Depression can also affect one's ability to concentrate, remember things and make choices. No matter if your symptoms are physical or emotional, you should make an appointment with your doctor in case you've been feeling these symptoms for a while. A health care professional can help connect you to treatment options, including psychotherapy and medication.
Muscle Aches
Muscle aches can be painful and are a typical sign of depression. It can be difficult to identify depression when the first signs are not obvious aches and pains. seasonal depression symptoms underlying connection between depression and pain is due to neurotransmitters, such as serotonin or norepinephrine. Insufficiency in these transmitters could cause depression and pain. The pain-depression link is bidirectional. Depression can cause pain to become more severe and chronic pain may worsen depression.
Many of the pains and discomforts that depression can be addressed at home. A healthy diet, exercise and adequate sleep can boost mood and reduce pain. If you are suffering from chronic pain, you may be prescribed medication by your doctor or referred to a pain clinic.
Rhabdomyolysis can cause generalized muscle pains. This condition causes the breakdown of muscle tissue as well as the release of harmful substances into the bloodstream. This condition is often caused by exercise too vigorously, certain medications, or illicit drugs. Other types of muscle pain are parasites, fungi or viral infections. They can be treated by antiviral, antibiotics or antiparasitic medications.
If you're experiencing generalized muscle pains, it's important to see your doctor or therapist for a thorough assessment. If the pains and aches are related to an underlying condition, your healthcare provider will recommend treatment, such as exercises, stretching and hydration. Ibuprofen and aspirin are non-prescription pain relievers that help ease discomfort. If you think your discomforts and aches are due to depression, consult your therapist or doctor to identify and manage the underlying causes.