Inonna Magazine

Authentic and opinionated magazine

Top Tags

Depression: 15 Physical Signs You Should Know

Sep 4, 2024

Did you know that your body can feel depressed? Trying to understand how you feel can be very difficult and confusing. Most of the time, you know you’re feeling something, but you may not know exactly what it is. The experts delved into feelings and emotions and gave us some interesting advice. The most interesting thing that comes out of their research is that if you take the time to feel what your body is feeling, you can really understand what you’re feeling.

They discovered the connection between our emotions and our bodies. This means that we can feel what we feel through our bodies. Every emotion creates a physical sensation, so you can physically feel what you’re feeling. If you are able to tune your physical sensations, then you are already able to take the first step in identifying how you feel.

“Butterflies in the belly” is a well-known idiom, and we all know what it means. Have you ever felt that way? It is most likely related to fear or anxiety. Have you ever felt butterflies or knots in your stomach, only to realize that you’re afraid of taking an exam or even meeting the person you want? How about a split tension headache? Do you ever feel like you have a red band on your forehead? Are you aware that sometimes this is related to anger?

Now that we’ve connected the physical emotions, let’s look at depression. How does your body feel when you’re depressed? Depression is actually a state of absence of emotions, especially emotions such as pain, fear, anger and shame. Depression occurs when these emotions become difficult to deal with, become unbearable, painful and out of control. Instead of letting these painful emotions wreak havoc on our lives, we fall into depression. Less well known is that we can also recognize depression by recognizing physical symptoms. Here are 15 physical symptoms that can help you identify depression.

1. Dizziness: strange sensations and imbalances

Many people with depression suffer from chronic pain or other physical symptoms. Often, people run a lot of tests and don’t get any results. You may only realize that you have depression after you realize that you have certain physical symptoms. The symptoms are varied, so you may not recognize them immediately. One feeling you would never imagine associated with depression is the feeling of dizziness.

People who have experienced this attest that it can last for days, months, or even years without interruption. This worrisome physical symptom often goes undetected by examination. You may feel dizzy or a worrying sense of vertigo. It may be so bad that you have to take time off work. The longer this symptom lasts, the more it causes anxiety, which can exacerbate feelings of depression.

Some people try changing jobs or working from home, hoping that staying in a more protected environment will ease the feeling. Dizziness patients with no apparent health conditions have been treated with mild antidepressants, and some have also received cognitive therapy with good results.

Some people testify that instead of staying at home or lying in bed, going out for a walk and breathing in fresh air, especially nature, helps them. So before you do something radical, such as quitting your job or staying home from life, ask your doctor for help or a referral. It’s important not to let the symptoms overwhelm you and seek help. You can live a normal life.

2. Weight gain – a fairly common symptom

Depression is twice as common in women as it is in men. Weight gain can be especially difficult to control for women who often see images of thin women in the media. Women with depression may also begin to increase their overall food intake. For people looking for comfort food, carbohydrates may be the top choice. As women gain weight, they also begin to feel more and more guilt and regret. Watching his transformation, almost imperceptibly, his sense of helplessness intensified. To suppress these emotions, they turn to food, thus completing the cycle of weight gain.

Weight gain also seems to be common for women going through menopause. It is often unclear what leads to a vicious cycle. Hormonal changes can lead to depression, which in turn affects hormones that regulate appetite. This will make you want to eat more than usual.

Studies have shown that people with depression have a significantly higher risk of obesity than people without depression. The risk of later obesity is particularly high among people with depression and adolescent females. The findings are the result of a review of data from 16 studies. Weight gain can lead to many other physical symptoms, many of which can further exacerbate depression.

Whether the cause is primary or secondary, depression can be to blame. If you suddenly experience a relatively sudden weight change, talk to your doctor about your physical symptoms. Don’t think they’ll just go away.

3. Pain — Sore muscles and joints

Depression seems to be linked to an imbalance of certain chemicals in the brain. Some of these chemicals can cause you to feel pain. Many experts believe that depression can make you feel pain differently than other people. Some testified that they felt pain in their limbs, as if they were tied to a bed for long periods of time. Others reported aches and pains all over their bodies, as if they had exercised too much. Even if they try to move a little more, this pain can persist for a while.

Sometimes, this type of muscle pain or joint pain is the cause of depression. Just hiding your feelings inside can cause them to manifest in the form of physical pain. Remember what Shrek said, on the outside, not on the inside. Repressed emotions show up in your body as physical pain. One study found that patients with depression also had more severe pain. Studies have shown that they suffer more disabling pain and cardiorespiratory pain than people without depression. The study opens the way for a new, scientifically tested hypothesis about the link between depression and the suffering suffered by many depressed people.

This can also lead to a feedback loop where more pain leads to more depression. If you feel pain at work, that pain will bring you down. People with fibromyalgia often suffer excruciating pain and are almost three times more likely to have major depression than people without fibromyalgia, and people with depression seem to be more likely to have fibromyalgia. Since pain and depression can sometimes go hand in hand, relieving pain can also relieve depression. You can try cognitive behavioral therapy. It can teach you better ways to cope with pain.

4. Back pain

It’s not just slouching. Back pain is also common in people with anxiety and mood disorders. But it’s not just a mechanical problem caused when people with depression get back pain. Being depressed from time to time is a normal part of life, but being depressed is a very different thing. Depression can cause a variety of physical symptoms that persist and affect a person’s daily life, and back pain is one of them.

Depression seems to cause a lot of unexplained pain. An increase in physical discomfort such as headaches, back pain, muscle pain, and stomach pain are fairly common symptoms of depression. If you have previously suffered from some type of back pain, it is likely to become a problem when you are depressed.

Back pain is a common symptom of depression and often becomes persistent and seems to persist with little sign of relief. Depression can make any type of chronic pain worse, and back pain is no exception. Back pain can make people feel weak, less energetic, and exacerbate depression. In some cases, pain can also lead to depression. For example, if you feel severe pain while walking or doing housework, it can make you feel nauseous.

Studies have shown that the more severe the back pain, the more likely you are to experience depressive symptoms. If you feel like back problems are holding you back from living the life you want, you’re not alone. Some studies have shown that depression leads to increased pain and inflammation through increased cytokine proteins, which are more common in people with depression. Since pain and depression can sometimes go hand in hand, relieving pain can also relieve depression. You can try cognitive behavioral therapy. It can teach you better ways to cope with pain.

5. Digestive problems

If you have digestive problems, cramps, or persistent swelling in your stomach, this could also be a symptom of depression. A strong link has been found between digestive problems such as bloating and irritable bowel syndrome and depression. Your gut is particularly sensitive to your emotions.

Most of the nerve cells in the body that produce most serotonin are located in the stomach. Serotonin is a chemical that affects mood. You can call it the body’s mood-boosting neurotransmitter. If you get frustrated, then your income will decrease, which leads to another feedback loop. To make matters worse, comfort foods, sugar, and carbohydrates can actually cause an imbalance of bacteria in the stomach.

Some studies suggest that depression may actually be a result of gastrointestinal disorders, rather than a cause. The study also looked at the link between these psychological and gastrointestinal disorders. This suggests that chronic gastrointestinal disorders may affect psychosocial behavior.

So when we say that depression can actually cause digestive problems, we don’t mean that the pain occurs in the patient’s head. What we mean is that the chemical processes and physical effects associated with clinical depression may contribute to a person’s stomach problems.

6. You sleep too much

That constant feeling of exhaustion… Do you always feel tired and exhausted no matter how much sleep you get? For some people, getting out of bed in the morning can seem like an almost impossible task. If you feel tired so often that it limits your life, it could be a symptom of depression. It feels like you’ve got the flu or stayed up too long. Then, when you try to recover by sleeping a little more, it never seems to get better. You may also wake up in the morning feeling like you haven’t slept at all.

Sometimes, along with these feelings of tiredness, you may eat too much or too little, feel hopeless and worthless, and experience other serious symptoms. People with depression are often disinterested in any activity, no matter the task or how much effort is required. Sleep often becomes a habit to avoid the pain and discomfort of depression. Depression itself can be exhausting.

This is because depression uses up most of your emotional energy, which is then reflected in your physical lack. Although it may seem impossible, some physical activity can help rejuvenate you. Even the smallest amount of exercise can help manage depression. Exercise releases hormones in the body and brain that can help fight depression. Overwhelming feelings of tiredness can make it hard to find the motivation to take a walk, but even a short walk can be very beneficial. Besides, sitting in the garden for a while should have a beneficial effect.

7. Insomnia

Count sheep? Some people may struggle to sleep too much, but others actually struggle to get enough sleep. Depression can cause a variety of insomnia symptoms. This includes difficulty falling asleep and staying asleep.

Depression is often accompanied by a lack of energy and overwhelming feelings of fatigue, which can be one of the most debilitating symptoms of depression. Surprisingly, depression can affect the quality of your sleep, no matter how tired you feel. Lack of good sleep can make you feel anxious, which can worsen the condition.

Sleep disturbances are a common and distressing symptom of depression that often cannot be resolved with treatment. Sleep disorders are an indicator of changes in neurotransmitter function in the brain. It also leads to poor quality of life. Researchers found that nearly one in five people with depression experience insomnia. More than half said lack of sleep seriously affected their quality of life. Lack of sleep can cause problems with growth hormone production and may alter REM sleep.

In fact, problems falling asleep and staying asleep is one of the most common symptoms of depression. Depression is usually diagnosed by examining your sleep patterns. After getting qualified help, there are still things you can do. The people around you can keep you on a regular sleep-wake cycle. Try to keep your body clock on a normal schedule. A simple rhythm of diet-activity-rest can help. Morning light and physical activity can improve mood and also help people sleep. Reducing light exposure before bed can also make sleep easier. Some studies have shown that physical activity is as effective as medication for relieving depression.

8. Skin problems

Bad skin can be frustrating, but it can actually be caused by depression. The mind and the skin are intertwined. There are many nerve endings attached to the skin. When emotions work on the nervous system, they can be expressed through the skin, just as depression and anxiety can be expressed through other symptoms. The root of many skin diseases is psychological.

Depression is linked to increased levels of the stress hormone cortisol. This hormone can cause acne and make conditions like eczema and psoriasis worse. Dermatology clinics are now making the connection between mood disorders and skin problems. In one study, some patients with mild to moderate acne or psoriasis scored highest on the Carroll Depression Scale.

Multiple studies have explored the impact of certain types of skin conditions on mental health. People with eczema also seem to be more prone to depression. Eczema can have a negative psychological impact on people and often lead to depression, a survey has reported. Once again, we are faced with a chicken-and-egg situation. A lifetime of chronic skin disease can lead to depression, but depression can also lead to skin problems. The medical community often neglects to address these aspects of skin disease.

Lack of support can cause many sufferers to withdraw from others and isolate themselves, which can lead to further depression. Most people are aware of their emotional symptoms. But the physical symptoms associated with depression are often overlooked because they are not considered to be related to each other. If you feel that depression is causing you a skin condition that is making you miserable, you should seek help. Support is essential so you can avoid sinking deeper into depression.

9. Chest pain

Chest pain is a well-known symptom of heart problems. What many people don’t know is that chest pain is a symptom of depression and vice versa. Depression can affect heart rhythm and raise blood pressure. It can raise levels of insulin, cholesterol and stress hormones.

A rapid heartbeat can be a symptom of depression and anxiety, which together form a condition called “anxiety-depression.” Many studies have looked at the link between depression and cardiovascular health. Nearly a third of heart attack patients also suffer from depression. But which came first, the chicken or the egg? Studies have found that even people with mild depression have a higher risk of heart failure and death. They show that people with coronary heart disease have a high risk of depression. In contrast, people with depression are at risk for coronary heart disease.

Chest pain and a rapid heartbeat are likely symptoms of anxiety and depression. Chest pain is also an important symptom of coronary artery disease. You should consult your doctor, who may refer you to a cardiologist for further testing.

Both physical and psychological factors have been studied as suggested causes of chest pain. Depression varies from person to person, but chest pain is one of the most common symptoms. It is important to remember that these symptoms may be part of a normal minimum of living. But the more symptoms you experience, the more severe, and the longer they last, the more likely you are to develop depression.

10. Migraines

Mood changes can trigger migraines. Studies have shown a link between migraines and depression. Studies have shown that if one person suffers from depression or migraines, the other is at risk of developing the condition as well. If you have one symptom, you are at greater risk of developing another. For some people with depression and anxiety, headaches can sometimes be very severe and occur frequently.

Migraines are severe pain on one or both sides of the head, usually near the temples or behind the ears or eyes. The pain may even be severe enough to cause nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light and sound. The pain can last from hours to days. Typical migraines also have aura. This can be similar to 10 to 30 minutes before a migraine attack when there is a light flashing in the corner of your vision.

One study even showed a specific link between depression and migraine with aura. Some studies have shown that people with migraine with aura are more likely to develop depression than people with normal migraine. Researchers have found a link between anxiety, depression and migraines. Migraines are common in people with depression and anxiety.

Persistent headaches are a common symptom of depression. The accompanying chronic headaches can make life more difficult for people with depression. Persistent migraines may also precede the onset of a mental disorder. People with migraines have significantly higher levels of depression than the general population. Severe depression often follows migraines.

11. Loss of appetite

Does the food taste like cardboard? Depression varies from person to person, but there are some common signs and symptoms. The more symptoms you experience, the more severe, and the longer they last, the more likely you are to have depression. One of these symptoms is a loss of interest in food. Losing the ability to feel pleasure and pleasure also means losing the ability to enjoy and taste food. Eating too much and not eating can be signs of depression. Once you understand the link between depression and appetite, you can better manage your depression.

Any change in eating habits can be associated with depression, especially other symptoms such as loss of energy and interest in pleasurable activities such as eating. Often, people with depression lose energy and interest in doing things, which can also mean losing interest in eating. This may occur more often in older people with depression, who may lose energy to cook and interest in cooking and eating.

Some people may experience nausea as a result of depression, which can lead to a loss of appetite. While loss of appetite is a common symptom of depression, sadness or feelings of worthlessness can cause some people to eat poorly and end up malnourished. Emotional eating is when you eat in response to emotional hunger and only eat foods that give you comfort. Food alters brain chemistry and improves mood.

The problem with loss of appetite is that emotional eating only affects specific foods, which can lead to malnutrition. When you notice a sudden change in appetite, you should see a doctor. This is a common symptom of depression and should not be ignored. Sudden and severe weight loss can be hazardous to your health and should be checked.

12. Decreased sex drive

What happened to your sex life? Sex is a normal part of most People’s Daily lives, and chronic depression can affect every part of your life, including your sexual activity. Depression can seriously affect your libido, and the process can also go the other way. Low libido can lead to feelings of depression.

On the other hand, sex is very good for your mood and can help with depression. Sex is also very good for relationships, and having meaningful relationships can save you from depression. Depression affects the balance of chemicals in the brain. Balanced brain chemistry is important for sex. Not only does imbalance affect chemistry, it also affects the way we experience pleasure.

Depression can cause a loss of libido, but it can also affect sexual function. People may take longer to reach orgasm and feel that sex is less enjoyable. Depression can make you feel bad and rob you of your happiness. But sexual arousal begins with the ability to truly anticipate pleasure. Depressed people are trapped in painful moments. If you’re feeling depressed, you may feel like you don’t have enough energy for sex. Since depression can also make you enjoy activities less, you may find yourself not enjoying sex as much as you once did.

It’s important to remember that sexual function fluctuates over time anyway. It’s natural to go through phases where you don’t want sex very much. However, if your libido is low for a long time and it’s causing you stress or sadness, then it may be time to see a doctor.

13. Constipation

Believe it or not, constipation is one of the most common digestive disorders and a symptom of depression. Constipation can make you feel bloating, headache and irritability, and can sometimes be difficult to cure. Chronic constipation refers to infrequent or difficult bowel movements. The discomfort of chronic constipation itself can be debilitating. Studies report a possible link between depression and constipation.

Depression occurs when the body produces too little serotonin. Serotonin is a chemical produced by the human body. It acts as a neurotransmitter and affects our mood, mood and sleep cycle. Almost all serotonin is produced in the gut. Good gut health may mean good mental health, and what affects the stomach affects the brain, and vice versa. The emotion or anxiety we feel in our stomach shows us how the nervous system is connected to the gastrointestinal system.

Recently, the link between the two systems has been further investigated. Some studies suggest the use of probiotics to ensure emotional stability. Low serotonin levels can lead to depression and constipation. Constipation can cause feelings of discomfort, tiredness and headaches. Sometimes we eat comfort foods like carbohydrates and sugar, as well as coffee and alcohol, all of which can make the situation worse.

Depression is a real illness with real symptoms that, if not addressed, can cause harm to people. If you are in a bad mood or anxious, as well as constipated, it is important to discuss this with your doctor or health professional.

14. Oral problems

Bad breath and tooth decay? Incredibly, despite research that seems to show a correlation between depression and tooth loss. This is partly because people with depression lack self-care. Some links have also been found between inappropriate diet and depression. A study has shown a significant relationship between depression and oral health. Depression can affect a person’s ability to cope with daily life and affect self-care behaviors related to oral health. In addition, depression and oral health may be linked to changes in saliva in people with depression.

When gut health changes with depression, so does saliva production. Reduced saliva flow can lead to a variety of oral health problems, such as an increase in disease-causing bacteria and tooth decay. Comfort eating tends to result in higher levels of carbohydrates and sugar. These can have a negative impact on dental health. Depression has also been linked to an increase in high-risk behaviors such as smoking, alcohol and substance abuse. These can lead to oral damage.

Bacteria and chemicals from the gut are also present in the mouth. If the gut is not balanced, it will lead to an imbalance of bacteria in the mouth. It is easy to see that the mouth is connected to the rest of the body and vice versa. Depression is partly an “inflammatory” disease, meaning that inflammation can trigger depression. Periodontitis can cause this inflammation.

Depression increases circulating levels of cortisol. Increased cortisol increases the risk of periodontal disease. Some medications used to treat depression can increase the risk of tooth decay, periodontal disease, and oral infections. Antidepressants can also cause insufficient saliva production, which can lead to tooth decay or other dental problems.

15. Energy loss

Spiral down Lack of energy can cause depression, but lack of energy can also be a symptom of depression. Depression can rob you of all your energy. But regularly boosting energy through physical activity such as walking can help ease depression. It becomes a spiral and it’s hard to get out. One of the most common symptoms of depression is physical fatigue or loss of energy.

Depression is associated with decreased concentration and slower thinking. Activity and fatigue decreased. Other symptoms include reduced body resistance and general weakness. People with depression have to put in more effort to complete physical activity. Having depression can be exhausting.

You may feel so tired and exhausted that it is difficult to continue with your daily activities. You may even feel exhausted and have little energy to get dressed in the morning. People with depression often feel so tired that they have no interest in any activity, even the slightest effort.

Often, people with low energy and depression also suffer from insomnia. While insomnia is the inability to fall asleep and stay asleep, it can also lead to a persistent feeling of tiredness and lack of energy. Depression can affect appetite and sleep. These are the two most important functions for generating and restoring energy levels. Sleeping too much or too much can ruin your energy levels. Treating depression can help you with low energy levels. Treating the underlying condition that causes lethargy and low energy can improve your quality of life.