Depression is a lot more than just feeling sad, down, or miserable. This is a common but serious mood disorder, which can affect your feelings, behaviors, and physical health. Depression does not only affect your mind rather it can manifest itself throughout the body. Depression does not look a certain way and there are many kinds of it. In this article we will discuss what are the common physical symptoms of depression.
Can depression make you sick?
Depression is a common form of mental illness, which impacts a lot of people. There are some examples of physical depression containing major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, dysthymia, and also seasonal affective disorder. Even though there are many types of depression, some of the symptoms overlap.
For instance, there are plenty of people with depression who feel a sense of worthlessness. Depression can affect the body just like your mind. Those who suffer from the debilitating mental condition might not even realize how intensely depression can penetrate their quality of life. From affecting your immune system to disturbing your sleep patterns, depression can make you sick physically.
There are many people who are struggling with physical depression and there could be various tough things that they are dealing with. Though there are many things that you can do if you are depressed to feel a little bit better, first you need to understand the typical signs and physical symptoms of depression. So, how would you recognize a depressed person? How would you know if they need help? Here are a few things to consider.
What are the physical symptoms of depression?
One of the most common signs of depression is a feeling of sadness or irritability, which is really pervasive and does not seem to go away no matter what you do. And irritability is much more present in teens and they tend to lose calm in any situation if dealing with depression.
Feeling hopeless
One of the very clear symptoms of depression is feeling hopeless. This can be hopeless about getting better or the sense of hopelessness about the future or achieving your goal. This is another tough symptom to deal with. Though other people can try to motivate you if you are seriously struggling with depression, then hopelessness just takes over and keeps you stuck.
Loss of interest
The third sign of depression is called anhedonia, which means you tend to lose your interest in things, which you previously used to enjoy. For instance, you might really be into cooking, and all of a sudden you find it boring. No matter how much you try different cuisines but you do not get that joy out of it that you used to.
Decreased concentration and indecision
It can be really difficult for you both in your workplace and your home because you feel really difficult to complete a task or concentrate on a particular thing. And if you do need to make any decision, which is almost like decision paralysis, finally you cannot make some simple choices in life that make you sick.
Changes in sleep
The fifth sign of depression to be aware of is changes in your sleeping pattern or habit. This can be either you sleep a lot more than before and have a really hard time getting out of bed, or on the other side of the spectrum, you may have the issue like you cannot sleep properly. You can also face insomniac while struggling with depression.
Changes in appetite or weight
Another severe sign of depression, which you should be aware of, changes in your weight or appetite. This can be either positive or negative physical depression. Sometimes when people are depressed, they start eating more than typical and gain weight, which is a very clear sign of depression. Or on the other side of the spectrum, people lose their appetite as well.
Sense of worthlessness
A lot of people can notice the physical symptoms of depression. When a person struggles with depression, they feel that they are not good for anything or their life is not worth it. This is one of the most difficult things for a person who deals with depression and this is where they should seek help.
Apart from these seven major signs, there are some general physical symptoms of depression:
● Persistent low mood
● Excessive guilt
● Lack of energy and tiredness
● Trouble concentrating and making tough decisions
● Memory problems
● Recurrent thoughts of suicide
● Restlessness
Conclusion
Depression can hurt anyone and this does not discriminate based upon gender or age. Moreover, depression can be severe and even deadly if left untreated. Luckily, there is help available and an experienced and licensed therapist can simply support those people who are struggling through massive depression. The experts help them understand that there is hope and they can make it through a painful time.
Medical Disclaimer: All the content available on the website is just for informational purposes. It’s not a substitute for any Professional advice. Don’t take it personally. As a medical student, I’m just trying to use my information through my content, and please keep in mind it’s not written by a professional doctor. Use the data just for educational purposes.
Dr. Kelly Han is a seasoned medical professional with a passion for holistic wellness and integrative health. Based in San Francisco, her expertise spans across various domains of health, from fitness and skincare to oral health and weight management.
Understanding the intricate connections between different aspects of health, Dr. Han believes in a comprehensive approach. Whether it’s the latest skincare regimen, effective weight loss strategies, or understanding hormonal imbalances, she’s dedicated to providing readers with evidence-based advice and actionable insights on a wide array of health topics.
Through her articles, Dr. Han aims to empower individuals to take charge of their well-being, offering them the knowledge and tools they need to lead healthier, more vibrant lives. Join her in exploring the multifaceted world of health, beauty, and wellness.
