Physical Symptoms of Depression To Look Out For

Symptoms of depression extend beyond emotional distress. It may include symptoms like fatigue, change in appetite, and disturbed sleep patterns. Recognising physical symptoms is vital for prompt intervention and comprehensive treatment, as addressing both the emotional and physical aspects of depression is crucial for effective management and improved overall well-being. Read on to learn more about the distinguishing physical symptoms of depression.

Some common physical symptoms of depression are as follows —

Pain

People with depression often suffer from chronic pain issues. Conversely, those suffering from chronic pain can get depressed due to their pain. However, depression may also cause them to feel vague to severe pain in a particular part or entire body. One common theory is that both pain and depression are caused by dysregulation of neurotransmitters. Often, patients with depression stop complaining about their pain after they start taking antidepressants.

Gastrointestinal Issues

People with depression often suffer from stomach problems like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). They may have frequent problems of bloating, nausea, diarrhoea, and constipation. A neurotransmitter called serotonin regulates both mood and digestive issues. Any imbalance of serotonin can lead to both depression and digestion.

Weak Immunity

A depressed person may require more time to recover from a common illness due to his/her weakened immunity. The person may also get affected by viral and bacterial diseases easily as his/her immunity is incapable of fighting these diseases. Chronic stress may cause an inflammatory response impacting immunity and mood regulation.

Sleep Disorders

Understanding a person’s sleep cycle is important in diagnosing depression. Depressed people usually find it difficult to fall asleep. Some people, on the other hand, may sleep excessively. People who have sleep disorders like sleep apnoea may gradually develop depression; this is because disturbances in the circadian rhythm (sleep cycle) can lead to depression.

Fatigue

One of the most important physical symptoms of depression is fatigue. People suffering from depression feel a sense of fatigue that doesn’t go away even with medication. Due to excessive fatigue, they often cannot perform their daily household chores like cleaning and bathing. Fatigue can be caused due to poor sleep, but often, even after sleeping well, the fatigue stays.

Psychomotor

Depression can impact the activity level of a person. While some may start feeling sluggish, others may find it difficult to sit still in one place. They may feel fidgety, restless, agitated, and may experience anxiety and intrusive thoughts. Sometimes, with age, the activity levels change in a person.

High Blood Pressure

Depression causes chronic stress that can induce high blood pressure. Depressed people often are under stress for an extended period, which often leads to hypertension, commonly known as high blood pressure. Hypertension increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases like heart attack and stroke.

Weight Loss or Gain

Depression can cause emotional eating, where a person starts eating to self-soothe. This excessive eating causes weight gain and obesity. It starts a vicious cycle where obesity impacts a person’s self-image, making him/her depressed further and wanting to eat more. Depression can also cause weight loss if the person starts suffering from anorexia, bulimia, or other eating disorders.