Depression physical symptoms

  

Physical Symptoms

Depression seems to be related to improper functioning of nerve cell networks or pathways that connect the brain areas that process emotional information. Some of these networks also process information for sensing physical pain. So many experts think that depression can make you feel pain differently than other people. 

Any kind of chronic pain may get worse.

• Headaches are fairly common. If you already had migraine headaches, they may seem worse.
• Back pain
• Muscle aches and joint pain
• Chest pain. It can be a sign of serious heart, stomach, lung or other problems. But depression can add to the discomfort.
• Digestive problems. You might feel queasy or nauseated. You might have diarrhea or become constipated all the time. It’s common to either lose your appetite or overeat.
• Exhaustion and fatigue. No matter how much you sleep, you may still feel tired or worn out. Getting out of the bed in the morning may seem very hard, even impossible.
• Sleeping problems. Many people with depression can't sleep well anymore. They wake up too early or can't fall asleep when they go to bed. Others sleep much more than normal.
• Change in appetite or weight. Some people with depression lose their appetite and lose weight. Others find they crave certain foods, like carbohydrates, and weigh more.
• Dizziness or lightheadedness

Treatment

Tell your doctor about any physical symptoms: Don't assume that they'll go away on their own. Try keeping a symptom diary, which can help you identify patterns.

Sometimes, treating your depression -- with therapy, medicine, or both -- will clear up your physical symptoms. Medicines for depression "tweak" the chemicals your nerve cell networks use to communicate, making them work more efficiently. Some antidepressants, such as duloxetine (Cymbalta), venlafaxine (Effexor), and older tricyclic antidepressants like amitriptyline (Elavil) or desipramine (Norpramin), may help with chronic pain, too.

But you may also need something else. For example, your doctor may suggest an anti-anxiety or sleep aid medicine for insomnia so you can relax and sleep better.

Since pain and depression can sometimes go together, easing your pain may lift your depression, as well. You could try cognitive behavioral therapy. It can teach you ways to deal better with pain.

• Depression is a common mental disorder. Globally, it is estimated that 5.0% of adults suffer from depression.
• Depression is a leading cause of disability worldwide and is a major contributor to the overall global burden of disease.
• More women are affected by depression than men.
• Depression can lead to suicide.
• There is effective treatment for mild, moderate, and severe depression.
• During a depressive episode, the person experiences depressed mood (feeling sad, irritable, empty) or a loss of pleasure or interest in activities, for most of the day, nearly every day, for at least two weeks. Several other symptoms are also present, which may include poor concentration, feelings of excessive guilt or low self-worth, hopelessness about the future, thoughts about dying or suicide, disrupted sleep, changes in appetite or weight, and feeling especially tired or low in energy. 

In some cultural contexts, some people may express their mood changes more readily in the form of bodily symptoms (e.g. pain, fatigue, weakness).  Yet, these physical symptoms are not due to another medical condition. 

During a depressive episode, the person experiences significant difficulty in personal, family, social, educational, occupational, and/or other important areas of functioning. 

A depressive episode can be categorised as mild, moderate, or severe depending on the number and severity of symptoms, as well as the impact on the individual’s functioning. 

There are different patterns of mood disorders including:

single episode depressive disorder, meaning the person’s first and only episode);recurrent depressive disorder, meaning the person has a history of at least two depressive episodes; andbipolar disorder, meaning that depressive episodes alternate with periods of manic symptoms, which include euphoria or irritability, increased activity or energy, and other symptoms such as increased talkativeness, racing thoughts, increased self-esteem, decreased need for sleep, distractibility, and impulsive reckless behaviour.