Severe Depression Physical Symptoms

Physical symptoms of severe depression typically include fatigue, difficulty sleeping and pain. Depression affects people differently However, there are ways to manage these symptoms and get help if needed.

It's normal for all of us to feel depressed or down at times However, if these feelings persist and cause disruption to your daily life, they may indicate depression. Certain people suffer from depression because of long-term stress.

Fatigue

Fatigue is a typical and significant sign of depression. Even when you get enough sleep, it feels like constant and perpetual fatigue. Fatigue can also be an adverse effect of certain antidepressant medications 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 prolonged period of time and causes disruption with your daily life. Fatigue may be accompanied by other symptoms that include difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep or sleeping, muscle discomfort and changes in appetite. It can also cause feelings of weakness or inability to exercise or move. Certain studies have shown that those suffering from depression experience more fatigue than others who do not suffer from the condition.

Some causes of fatigue, such as excessive work, not eating a healthy diet, and excessive drinking or drug usage are evident. However other causes of fatigue aren't so clear and may include thyroid disease, anemia or chronic liver, kidney or lung diseases. The cause of fatigue can be illnesses, infections and certain vitamins and minerals. A deficiency in iron, for instance causes fatigue. However, it is easily treated by eating foods high in minerals such as red meat and spinach.

Many people with depression feel exhausted and as if they lack the energy or motivation to do anything. This can cause issues at work, in relationships, and even in everyday activities. Fatigue can make it difficult to maintain a healthy weight or to get regular exercise.

You can use various self-measurement surveys to determine the level 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 regarding your emotional and physical health over the past month. Your answers are used to determine an assessment score which is based on your score, with higher scores indicating greater levels of fatigue.

Sleeping difficulties

If you're experiencing difficulties sleeping, it could be an indication of depression. Trouble falling asleep or staying asleep, or waking up frequently during the night can interfere with your ability to perform throughout the day. It could cause fatigue, irritability and weight growth.

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, and appetite changes. In a study, 69% of patients who were diagnosed with depression experienced somatic symptoms in addition to depressed mood.

Depression can also affect your eyesight and make the world appear blurry and unclear. In some instances it's due to a change in the way the brain processes visual information. This could cause you to have trouble reading, driving or working with numbers.

It can be difficult to sustain when you're tired or have low energy levels and lack interest in enjoyable activities. This can lead you to a lower fitness level as well as depression, weight gain and fatigue.

A variety of medical conditions can cause depression, such as infectious diseases like Hepatitis C or HIV cancer, heart disease and neurodegenerative disorders. Certain medications can cause depression, such as antipsychotics as well as some neurotransmitter inhibitors.

In certain cases, depression can be triggered by a life event or hormonal change. Depressive episodes are common in women who have had a childbirth experience, pregnancy postpartum depression, 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 happiness.

If you're experiencing physical recognizing early Signs of Depression of depression, you should consult your primary care physician or a mental health professional as soon as possible. They'll be able to evaluate your symptoms and suggest treatments such as psychotherapy or medication. If your symptoms are severe, they could suggest a more intense treatment program like electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) or deep brain stimulation (DBS). Talk to your doctor about your options and how to manage these symptoms, so that you can remain on the road to recovery.

Headaches

Pain can be a very difficult symptom to identify, especially when the pain is not explained. Depression-related pain can occur anywhere in the body, including the back and head. Pain from depression is usually moderate to mild, and does not interfere with everyday activities. Depression and pain are linked because they have the same neural pathways and chemicals within the brain. The likelihood of pain is higher to occur in conjunction with severe depression and may reoccur frequently or last for longer than anticipated.

Headaches, especially cluster headaches, may be an indication that you're depressed. These are headaches that usually 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 a regular headache, but they are much more intense and last for a longer time. The pain in the stomach or chest could indicate that you're depressed, along with increased sweating, fatigue and trouble sleeping.

People who have depression may feel less able to control their emotions and actions and can lead to self-destructive behaviors like drinking excessively or eating too much alcohol. They might also have changes in their appetite, including cravings for food that aren't normal for them. Certain people who suffer from depression have digestive issues, like constipation or diarrhea.

Muscle and back pain can be another symptom of depression. It's usually associated with poor posture or injuries. This pain can be exacerbated by stress or certain foods and is more frequent in women than men. Depression is thought to trigger back and muscle pain since it affects the nerve pathways that control both mood and pain receptors.

Other indicators of depression include changes in the voice of a person, slowness of movements, and purposeless movement such as fidgeting or the habit of pacing. Depression can also make it harder to focus and remember information and some sufferers have difficulty making decisions. No matter if your symptoms are physical or emotional symptoms of depression it is important to make an appointment with a doctor in case you've been feeling them for a long time. A health care professional will assist you in finding treatment options like psychotherapy or medication.

Muscle Aches

Muscle aches can be very painful and a common symptom of depression. Vague aches and pains may be the first sign of depression to appear and are difficult to recognize. Neurotransmitters like serotonin and norepinephrine play a role in the connection between depression and pain. Insufficient regulation of transmitters can lead to depression and pain. The pain-depression link is bidirectional: depression can make pain more severe and chronic pain may make depression worse.

In a lot of instances the pains and aches caused by depression can be cured by using home remedies. Exercise, a proper diet and adequate sleep can help reduce the pain and improve mood. If you have chronic pain, you could be prescribed medication by your doctor or referred to an acupuncture clinic.

Generalized muscle pains can be a sign of rhabdomyolysis, a condition that causes the breakdown of muscle tissue and release of harmful substances into the bloodstream. This condition can be caused by overuse or certain medications, or illicit drugs. Other forms of muscle aches include fungal, viral or parasitic infections, which can be treated with antifungal, antiviral or antiparasitic medications.

If you have generalized muscle aches it is important to visit your therapist or doctor for a complete evaluation. If the pains and aches are related to an underlying disease Your healthcare professional will recommend treatment, including stretching exercises, hydration and stretching. Ibuprofen and aspirin are non-prescription pain relievers that help ease discomfort. If you are experiencing pains or aches that are a result of depression, consult your therapist or doctor about identifying and addressing root causes that contribute to the symptoms.