The vast majority of the signs of depression revolve around emotional instability, sadness, and a loss of hope. And yet, the physical symptoms of depression can also be debilitating and contribute to difficulty in focusing and being irritable. Are you or someone you love struggling with sadness and the physical effects of depression? Reach out online or call 888.541.4028 today to learn how our depression treatment program can help you learn to cope, manage stress, and live a healthy and happy life.
What Is Depression?
Depression is the most common mental health condition in the world. Roughly one out of every six people in the U.S. will experience clinical depression.
It’s important then to see and react to the signs of depression, including the physical effects of depression that may be impacted you or a loved one. Depression commonly results in a lower quality of life and a higher risk of suicide in people who are suffering, often silently, from the condition. Additionally, physical symptoms of depression may also be present in those who are not willing or unable to receive depression treatment. The fact is that people with depression are nearly twice as likely to die as people without the condition. Unfortunately, the impact of depression stretches far beyond each individual, affecting their family, friends, loved ones, and co-workers.
Diagnosing Depression
In order to be diagnosed with depression, you must have five or more of the following symptoms present during most of each day, nearly every day, for at least two consecutive weeks. For the diagnosis of depression and to begin a depression treatment program, at least one of those symptoms must be either a depressed mood or an overall loss of interest or pleasure in the things and passions you once loved. The other symptoms are:
- Change in appetite or weight
- Insomnia or sleeping too much
- Restlessness or sluggishness
- Fatigue or a general loss of energy
- Feelings of worthlessness or excessive guilt
- Inability to concentrate
- Reuccoring thoughts of death or suicidal ideation
Receiving depression treatment in Rhode Island with us can help you understand your condition and learn ways to manage depression, heal, and live a healthier and happier life.
10 Physical Symptoms of Depression You Shouldn’t Ignore
Many people, whether they have struggled with depression or not, know that depression takes a severe toll on a person’s emotions. What some don’t know, however, are the physical symptoms of depression and how they can have a significant impact on a person’s well-being. Although depression is a mental health concern, it also causes physical symptoms. Physical pain, an upset stomach, overwhelming fatigue, and restlessness are just a few of the signs of depression that you or someone you love may be battling. Others include:
1. Sleep
Depressive disorders often cause issues with sleep. You may be sleeping too much or too little, but either way, you are suffering the physical effects of depression when you are not sleeping properly.
2. Fatigue
Feeling lethargic is very common when you are battling depression. This is because depression slows down your whole system, making it noticeable through the way you speak, your movements, and even the way you process information.
3. Pain
Muscle aches are a physical symptom of depression because the disease can worsen bodily inflammation. Additionally, joint pain, back pain, and other physical effects of depression may cause intense pain throughout your body. The relationship between pain and depression is a two-way street. Depression can lead to more significant pain and in turn, an increase in pain can bring on depression.
4. Headaches
Headaches are another common physical symptom of depression. You may suffer cluster headaches, tension headaches, or migraines frequently if you have a depressive disorder.
5. Decreased Vision
Many people with depression state that the world looks blurry or hazy.
6. Chest Pain
Panic attacks can make it feel like your heart is racing or cause uncomfortable tightness in your chest. In people with depression, chest pain can become chronic and last much longer.
7. Sinking Feeling in Stomach
Experiencing a sinking feeling in your stomach is one of the most recognizable physical symptoms of depression. Often caused by stress and anxiety, stomach issues like cramps, bloating, and nausea may be a sign of a mental health concern. Additionally, emotions like sadness and anxiety can disrupt the digestive tract. Depression treatment in Rhode Island can help you get in tune with your body and help you heal from the physical distress caused by depression.
8. Dizziness
Many people with dizziness experience high levels of psychological distress, making lightheadedness and dizziness one of the signs of depression you can spot in yourself or someone important in your life.
9. Weight Changes
Gaining weight from inactivity or losing interest in food and seeing your weight drop dramatically, one of the physical symptoms of depression is a change in appetite and weight due to emotional stress and sadness.
10. Decreased Sex Drive
One of the lesser-known or discussed physical effects of depression is the impact it has on sexual libido. You may not be interested in sex due to emotional reasons like lack of confidence or physical reasons like fatigue or exhaustion.
Learn More from Rhode Island Addiction Treatment
Depression isn’t just in your head—it can impact your muscles, stomach, eyes, and all over your body. Contact us today online or call 888.541.4028 to discover the ways in which a depression treatment program can play in helping you move forward in life.