How Depression Affects Your Body: Key Signs to Watch For
How Depression Affects Your Body: Key Signs to Watch For
Depression can be incredibly debilitating, manifesting in tears, stress, and even a lack of will to live. Daily tasks can become overwhelming challenges, even if these struggles aren’t always visible to others. While many people associate depression solely with chronic sadness, they often overlook the physical symptoms that accompany this mental health condition. Here are several signs your body may exhibit when dealing with depression:
Fatigue
We all experience burnout from time to time. However, if you feel an unexplained fatigue every day, even after getting adequate sleep, it could be a sign of chronic depression. According to research from the National Library of Medicine, fatigue is the most common symptom of major depressive disorder.
Psychotherapist Shemaya Derrick explains:
You may notice physical exhaustion and a lack of energy. These symptoms usually appear after attempting to resolve a problem mentally. The body starts to act, but the situation remains unresolved, creating a dissonance between what you think and what you do.
Pain
Alongside depression, many people experience various aches and pains. Some may feel tension in the neck and back or joint pain; others might experience chest tightness and breathing difficulties. Many individuals with depression unconsciously hold their breath.
Life coach Nicolette Amarillas confirms that spinal pain is common among people with depression. This can also be observed in changes in posture: slumped shoulders and a lowered head.
Headaches
Tension in the body can also lead to headaches. Depression affects neurotransmitters and neurohormones that regulate stress response, inflammation, and other systems.
The Headache Center in New York states that people with chronic migraines are two to three times more likely to suffer from depression than the general population. Both migraines and depression share common roots in the brain and can develop due to environmental factors or genetic predispositions.
Sleep Problems
If you find yourself waking up at noon or tossing and turning until 3 a.m., these could also be indicators of mental health issues. When symptoms persist for more than two weeks, it’s time to consult a specialist.
Digestive Issues
Stomach problems are common among people with depression or chronic anxiety. This is most evident in children and adolescents, whose abdominal pain is often linked to problems with peers. Diarrhea and nausea can be caused by depression, and in some cases, chronic inflammation can worsen.
Brain Fog
People with depression often experience forgetfulness and an inability to concentrate. While brain fog in a healthy person can be alleviated by rest, prolonged brain fog is a sign of a serious problem. In such cases, specialists can help identify possible causes of depression and guide you out of the fog.
Menstrual Cycle Changes
Many factors influence the menstrual cycle, but depression can alter its duration and make the process more painful. Studies also show that menstruation can worsen depression symptoms. 64% of women with psychological problems report feeling worse 5-10 days before their period.
Diabetes
Both sides of this issue have negative consequences. People with depression often develop diabetes, and those with diabetes have a high risk of developing depression. Symptoms of depression—fatigue, unhealthy eating habits—lead to weight gain, a major risk factor. Diabetes affects the immune system, which can worsen depression symptoms.
Anxiety causes the release of cortisol, the stress hormone, which increases insulin production. Insulin lowers blood sugar levels, leading to cravings for more sweets.
