Severe Depression Physical Symptoms
Depression that is severe can trigger physical symptoms such as fatigue, pain, and difficulty sleeping. People with depression experience different effects however there are ways to manage these symptoms and get help when needed.
It's common for us to feel sad or depressed occasionally but if they continue and disrupt our daily routine, this could be a sign of depression. People who suffer from depression are often because of long-term stress.
Fatigue
Fatigue is a common and significant symptom of depression. Even when you're getting enough rest, it can feel like constant and perpetual fatigue. Fatigue can also be a side effect of some antidepressant drugs and it's crucial to discuss your symptoms with your physician.
There is no precise definition of fatigue, but it is described as a persistent feeling of fatigue that causes problems with everyday activities. Fatigue can be accompanied by several other symptoms such as difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep. Other symptoms include muscle pain, changes to appetite and feelings of weakness. Some studies have revealed that those suffering from depression experience more fatigue than others without the condition.
Some causes of fatigue, like excessive work, not eating a healthy diet and excessive drinking or drug usage, are obvious. Other causes of fatigue, such as anemia, thyroid diseases, chronic kidney, liver, or lung disease, are less apparent. Fatigue can be triggered by infections, illness and certain minerals and vitamins. For example, iron deficiency can cause fatigue, but it's easily treated by eating more foods that contain the mineral, such as spinach, red meat and fish.
Many people who suffer from depression are exhausted and feel that they lack the energy to accomplish anything. This can cause problems at work, in relationships and in day-to-day activities. Fatigue can also make it more difficult to maintain a healthy weight or take regular exercise.
There are many different self-measurement tests that can help you determine how much fatigue you're experiencing. The Fatigue Severity Scale and the Fatigue Severity Inventory are two among the most well-known. Both require you to answer questions regarding your physical and emotional health in the last month. Your answers are used to determine an assessment score, with higher scores indicating higher levels of fatigue.
Sleeping difficulties
If you're experiencing difficulties sleeping, it could be an indication of depression. If you're having trouble falling asleep, staying asleep, or waking frequently throughout the night, it may affect your ability to function throughout the day. It could also contribute to fatigue, irritability, and weight gain.
Other physical symptoms include a feeling of feeling of weight or heaviness stomach pain or bloating, difficulties in digesting food, a decreased desire for sexual activity or dysfunction, and changes in appetite. In an investigation in which 69% of patients who were treated for depression had physical symptoms in addition to depressed mood.
Depression can also affect your eyesight which can make the world appear hazy and blurry. This can be due to changes in how the brain processes visual information. This could cause difficulties with reading, driving or working with numbers.
A loss of energy fatigue, fatigue, and a lack of interest in enjoyable activities can make it difficult to keep up an exercise routine. This can lead to a decline in fitness and weight gain, as well as a worsening of depression.
A variety of medical conditions, like heart disease, cancer and neurodegenerative disorders, can cause depression. Certain medications can also trigger depression, including antipsychotics and neurotransmitter inhibitors.
Depression can sometimes be triggered by an event that has a dramatic impact on your life or a hormonal changes. Menopausal, childbirth, and postpartum depression are all linked with depression-related episodes in certain women. Women who suffer from bipolar disorder may also experience depressive episodes, and manic episodes that are associated with an increase in activity and a greater sense of elation.
If you're experiencing the 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 examine your symptoms and provide treatment options like psychotherapy or medication. If your symptoms are severe, they may suggest a more intense course of treatment such as electroconvulsive (ECT) therapy or deep brain stimulation. Talk to your doctor about your options and ways to manage these symptoms so you can stay on the road to recovery.
Headaches
Pain can be a very difficult symptom to recognize particularly when the pain is unexplained. Depression-related pain can occur anywhere in the body including the head and back. Depression-related pain is typically moderate to mild, and is not a problem for daily life. Depression and pain are linked because they share the same neurochemicals and pathways within the brain. It is also more likely to be associated with depression that is severe, and may reoccur frequently or last longer than you expected.
Headaches can be an indication of depression, especially if they're cluster headaches. Cluster headaches are those that last for up to two month periods, typically at the same time each year. physiological symptoms of depression of cluster headaches are similar to a regular headache, but they are much more intense and last longer. The pain in the chest and stomach can be an indication of depression, as can increased sweating and fatigue, as well as difficulty sleeping.
People who have depression are often less in control of their emotions and actions and can cause self-destructive behaviours such as drinking excessively or eating too much alcohol. There may be changes in their appetite, including cravings for food that aren't typical for them. Certain people who suffer from depression have digestive issues, like constipation or diarrhea.
Back and muscle pain can be another symptom of depression, and it's often associated with bad posture or injuries. This type of pain is more prevalent among women. It can be made worse by stress and certain food items. Depression can trigger muscle and back pain, due to the fact that it affects nerve pathways that control mood and pain receptors.
Other indicators of depression are changes in the voice of a person or movements, a slowing of their movements and purposeless movement such as fidgeting or pacing. Depression can also affect your ability to focus, remember things and make decisions. Whether your symptoms are emotional or physical, you should make an appointment with your doctor when you've been experiencing them for a long time. A health professional will assist you in finding treatment options like psychotherapy or medication.
Muscle Aches
Muscle aches can be very painful and a typical symptom of depression. It is difficult to recognize depression when the initial signs are not obvious aches and pains. Neurotransmitters like serotonin and norepinephrine are responsible for the connection between depression and pain. Dysregulation of these transmitters can cause pain and depression. The pain-depression link is also bidirectional. Chronic pain can make depression worse and depression may make chronic pain worse.
In a lot of instances, the aches and pains caused by depression can be alleviated by using home remedies. Exercise, a healthy diet and enough sleep can improve mood and help manage pain. If you suffer from chronic pain, you might be prescribed medication by your physician or directed to an area pain clinic.
Rhabdomyolysis can trigger generalized muscle pains. This condition triggers the breakdown of muscle tissue and the release of harmful substances into the bloodstream. This condition can be caused by over-strengthening exercise or certain medications, or by 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're suffering from generalized muscle aches it is essential to visit your doctor or therapist for a thorough assessment. If the aches and pains are related to an underlying condition your doctor will suggest treatment, which could include exercises, stretching and hydration. The over-the-counter pain relief medications like ibuprofen or aspirin, can ease the discomfort. If your aches and pains are caused by depression, talk to your therapist or doctor about identifying and addressing root causes that cause the symptoms.