Severe Depression Physical Symptoms
Physical symptoms of severe depression typically include fatigue, sleep issues and pain. Depression is a different experience for everyone, however there are many ways to cope with the symptoms and seek out help should you need it.
It's common for us to feel sad or depressed occasionally, but if they persist and disrupt our daily lives, this could be a sign of depression. People who suffer from depression are often because of long-term stress.
Fatigue
Fatigue is a typical and serious symptom of depression. Even when you get enough sleep, it feels like a constant and unrelenting fatigue. It can also be a side-effect of certain antidepressant medications which is why you should discuss your symptoms with a physician.
There's no definitive definition of fatigue, but it's usually described as a feeling of fatigue that lasts for a long period of time and causes disruption with your daily life. symptoms of deep depression iampsychiatry.com may be associated with other symptoms that include difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep, muscle discomfort, changes in appetite and feelings of weakness or inability to move or exercise. Some studies have revealed that depression sufferers experience more fatigue than others who are not suffering from the condition.
Some causes of fatigue, like excessive work, eating a balanced diet, and excessive alcohol or drug usage are well-known. However, other causes of fatigue aren't as apparent and could be due to anemia, thyroid disease or chronic kidney, liver or lung disorders. Fatigue is usually caused by diseases, infections and vitamins and mineral supplements. For instance, iron deficiency can cause fatigue, but it's managed by eating more foods that contain iron, such as red meat, spinach, and fish.
Many people suffering 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. In addition, fatigue can make it difficult to maintain a healthy weight and take regular exercise.
You can utilize various self-measurement surveys to determine the level of fatigue you're feeling. These include the Fatigue Symptom Inventory and the Fatigue Severity Scale. Both ask you to answer questions regarding your emotional and physical functioning during the past month. Your answers are used to build a scoring system, with higher scores indicating more fatigue.
Difficulty sleeping
If you are having trouble sleeping, you may be depressed. Trouble falling asleep or staying asleep, or awakening frequently during the night can hinder your ability to perform throughout the day and could cause stress, fatigue, and weight increase.
Other physical symptoms of depression can include feeling of heaviness or weightiness stomach discomfort, abdominal bloating or distention and difficulty digesting food, a decrease in sexual desire or dysfunction, as well as appetite changes. In the study that included 69 percent of patients diagnosed with depression experienced somatic symptoms, in addition to a mood depressed.
Depression can also affect the eyesight. The world can appear blurred or hazy. This could be due an alteration in the way your brain processes visual data. This can cause you to be unable to read, drive or working with numbers.
Exercise can be difficult to maintain if you are tired or have low energy levels and lack interest in enjoyable activities. This could lead to a lower fitness level, weight gain and depression.
Many medical conditions can cause depression, such as infectious diseases such as hepatitis C or HIV cancer, neurodegenerative disorders and heart disease. Certain medications, such as antipsychotics and neurotransmitter inhibitors, can also trigger depression.
In some instances depression may be brought on by an event in life or hormonal change. Depressive episodes are common in women who have experienced pregnancy, childbirth, postpartum depression, or menopausal. Women who suffer from bipolar disorders may also suffer from depressive symptoms as well as manic phases with more activity and a greater sense of elation.
If you are experiencing physical symptoms of depression, it's essential to visit your primary care physician or mental health professional as soon as possible. They'll be able to examine your symptoms and provide treatments like psychotherapy or medication. If your symptoms are serious, they may recommend a more intense course of treatment, such as electroconvulsive (ECT) therapy or deep brain stimulation. Speak to your doctor to learn about your options.
Headaches
It can be a difficult symptom to recognize particularly when the pain is unexplained. The pain that is triggered by depression is usually felt in the head or back, but can also occur throughout the body. Usually, the pain associated with depression is moderate to mild and doesn't hinder everyday activities. Depression and pain are related because they share the same neurochemicals and pathways within the brain. Pain is more likely to accompany severe depressive episodes, and it may occur more often or last longer.
Headaches are a sign of depression especially if they are cluster headaches. These are headaches that typically last for between one and two months at a time, usually around the same time each year. Cluster headaches have similar symptoms like regular headaches, however they are more intense and last longer. Pain in the chest and stomach could be an indication of depression, as can increased sweating, fatigue, and difficulty sleeping.
People who have depression tend to feel less in control of their moods and actions and this can result in self-destructive behavior like overeating or drinking too much alcohol. There may be changes in their appetites, which can include cravings for food that aren't normal for them. People with depression may experience digestive problems such as diarrhoea or indigestion.
Back and muscle pain is another symptom of depression. It is often linked to injuries or poor posture. The pain is more prevalent for women. It is often aggravated by stress and certain foods. Depression can cause back and muscle pain, as it alters nerve pathways that regulate 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 difficult to focus and remember information and some people experience difficulty making decisions. If your symptoms are emotional or physical you should schedule an appointment with your physician in case you've been feeling them for a while. A health professional can connect you to treatment options, such as psychotherapy and medication.
Muscle Aches
Muscle pains are a typical sign of depression. They can be painful. It can be difficult to identify depression when the initial signs are vague aches and pains. Neurotransmitters such serotonin or norepinephrine are the reason for the connection between depression and pain. Insufficiency in these transmitters could result in depression and pain. The pain-depression connection is also bidirectional: depression can cause pain to become more severe and chronic pain may worsen depression.
Many of the pains and discomforts that depression causes can be treated at home. A healthy diet, exercise and adequate sleep can help reduce the pain and improve mood. If you suffer from chronic pain, your physician might prescribe medication or recommend a specialized pain clinic.
Generalized muscle aches could be a sign of rhabdomyolysis, a condition that causes the breakdown of muscle tissues and the release of harmful substances into the bloodstream. This condition is often triggered through over-training, certain medications or illicit drugs. Other forms of muscle aches include fungal, viral or parasitic infections, which can be treated with antiviral, antifungal or antiparasitic medications.
If you're suffering from generalized muscle pains, it's important to see your therapist or doctor for a thorough assessment. If the aches and pains are caused by an underlying illness, your healthcare provider will recommend treatment, such as exercises, stretching and hydration. Aspirin and ibuprofen are available over-the-counter pain relievers that can help ease the discomfort. If you suspect that your aches and discomforts are caused by depression, talk to your therapist or doctor to pinpoint and address the underlying factors.