How Does Depression Affect Your Physical Health?

It is quite common to have physical symptoms of depression. Sometimes it can be vague, but it can eventually cause chronic joint pain, backache, gastrointestinal problems, loss of appetite, disturbed sleep etc.

In some cases, the physical symptoms are so overpowering that it becomes difficult to diagnose depression. Continue reading to know more about how depression affects your physical health.

Depression is a brain disorder that can have a severe impact on one's mood as well as activities. In addition, those who undergo this situation often complain about several physical problems.

Many overlook this condition and feel this is a reaction to certain events. It is normal if you are feeling low, anxious, and sad, but when these symptoms continue for weeks, you must consult a professional because they can be depressive symptoms.

According to various studies, there are many ways depression can affect your body. Some of them are as follows -

• Chronic Pain: A person with depression experiences chronic pain in various body parts, like joints or muscles, tenderness in the breast, and headaches. In addition, such pain can also trigger certain symptoms of depression. Further, it causes increased pain sensitivity that does not react well to medications.
• Weight Gain or Loss: Sudden changes in appetite, which leads to either severe weight gain or losing significant weight, is another depressive symptom. Furthermore, gaining weight due to this disorder can add to other health issues like diabetes and heart problems. On the other hand, those who are underweight can develop heart problems, impact fertility and cause fatigue.
• Heart Ailments: Apart from posing a threat due to obesity caused by depression, there can be other ways depression affects one's heart. For example, it is possible that due to this condition, people lose motivation, which eventually results in a poor diet and a sedentary lifestyle. In addition, according to a review published in the American Journal of Hypertension, one out of five people suffering from serious heart ailments has depression.
• Inflammation: According to certain research, stress and depression can trigger inflammation. However, the main cause of this condition is still not known. Due to inflammation, some people may also develop autoimmune disorders like irritable bowel syndrome, arthritis, and type 2 diabetes.
• Loss of Libido: Some have reported that due to depression, they have difficulty getting aroused or having orgasms. This is one of the reasons why many people battling depression have relationship problems.
• Gastrointestinal Problems: Many people with depression report stomach or digestion problems. This can be anything, diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting, etc. Although this can be a minor effect of depression for some, it can turn into chronic conditions like IBS. Studies show depression changes the way the brain responds to stress. Further, it suppresses other activities in the hypothalamus, pituitary gland, and adrenal glands.
• Memory Loss: Depression affects the cognitive system in the brain. Hence, people with this condition find it hard to remember or recollect. Moreover, it is difficult for such people to make decisions or even concentrate and is mostly seen among older adults.
• Weaker Immune System: Chronic depression eventually leads to a compromised immune system. This means the body resists the chances to treat diseases and infections. Therefore, the body is susceptible to more ailments, including long-term illnesses.
• Trouble Sleeping: Insomnia is another physical symptom that is a by-product of depression. People suffering from this condition always feel exhausted as the body and mind do not get enough rest. Healthcare providers believe this is the root cause of several health problems. For instance, sleep deprivation can lead to high blood pressure, diabetes, weight-related issues, and even cancer.

To understand how depression affects your physical health, we have divided the symptoms into three broad categories.

Effect on the Central Nervous System

• It is difficult to recognise the symptoms of depression within the central nervous system. However, since depression causes immense sadness, hopelessness or emptiness, people consider it a common reaction to certain events.
• Moreover, it is difficult to understand whether they have depression, as the symptoms often transform into physical reactions. For example, your central nervous system gives out the signal of feeling tired most of the time, bursting with anger or irritation, and losing interest in things that indicate depression.
• As the central nervous system makes our body work, it impacts one's social commitment or completing work when it is under the impact of depression. This could be due to signs like memory problems, difficulty making decisions, lack of concentration, etc.

Effect on the Cardiovascular System

• Depression and stress mostly overlap, causing your heart rate and blood pressure to increase. Moreover, due to the production of cortisol hormones or stress hormones, the blood vessel tightens, causing restricted blood flow.
• With time, this condition may develop into cardiac arrest or other cardiovascular problems like a heart attack or stroke.
• In addition, those who go through depression often develop a habit of smoking and alcohol consumption. This also leads to a negative impact on the cardiovascular system.

Effect on the Digestive System

• Stomach pain, cramps and constipation are very common for a person who is under depression. Although it is called a mood disorder, it relates significantly to appetite and nutrition.
• Those who undergo this condition often skip meals or binge eat junk food. Thus, they do not get enough nutrients daily, which affects the digestive system.
• Doctors suggest maintaining a healthy diet so that the body receives adequate nutrition and digests food properly, avoiding cravings. Due to irregular food habits, people tend to develop obesity, type-2 diabetes, or geriatric anorexia in some cases.

As per our discussion, we have come to the conclusion that depression can affect your physical body. Nonetheless, many health conditions exist with depression. For example:

• Coronary artery disease
• Autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis
• AIDS
• Stroke
• Diabetes
• Cancer
• Kidney failure
• Arthritis 

Readers must note depression can sometimes increase the risk of these diseases. However, no source states depression causes cancer, although it can both co-exist.

If you are seeing a doctor to check your depression, share all the symptoms you are facing now. Whether psychological or physiological, you must not hide anything from the healthcare provider.

This will help your doctor get a clear picture of your condition and allow them to figure out the treatment. In most cases, treatment for depression works both ways. For example, in some research on diabetes, scholars stated that some antidepressants and psychotherapy help improve glycaemic control.

Here are some effective alternative treatment methods to cure depression:

• Talk therapy
• Physical exercises
• Spending time doing what you like
• Speaking to your family or loved ones
• Herbal medicines
• Meditation
• Acupuncture
• Reflexology
• Massage
• Guided imagery

Medicines prescribed by professionals or over-the-counter medications can have side effects on your body. Most of them are very mild and get better once the body adjusts. However, others may be severe as well as persistent.

Some examples of physical side effects of antidepressants are:

• Difficulty in focusing
• Blurred images
• Changes in appetite
• Dry mouth
• Dizziness
• Fatigue
• Insomnia
• Nausea
• Pain during sexual intercourse

Depression is a serious health issue and can cause numerous health problems. So if you notice any of the following signs, immediately seek medical assistance.

• Feeling sad and lonely every day
• Lost interest in your previous hobbies
• Blaming yourself or feeling worthless
• Having suicidal thoughts
• Experiencing changes in the sleep cycle
• Gaining or losing weight
• Having no energy throughout the day
• Frequently crying
• Persistent physical problems like headaches or pain in the whole body
• Getting irritated or being restless

In most cases of depression, a person visits a doctor when they have severe physical complaints. Moreover, a doctor may not ask about your mental condition. Hence, there is a faulty diagnosis.

Before trying any known coping mechanism, it is necessary to get a proper diagnosis. So, if you notice symptoms such as sadness, anxiety, or loss of interest along with those physical symptoms, ensure to inform your doctor about the same.

Here is a list of activities one can do to cope with depression.

• Participate in physical activities to lift your mood
• Socialise and stay in touch with your friends
• Try not to avoid things which seem difficult at first
• Refrain from substance use or alcohol consumption
• Plan a healthy diet
• Try to maintain a schedule for everything
• Seek help if your symptoms keep increasing and interfering with your lifestyle

So now you have a clear idea of how depression affects your physical health and ways to treat and cope with the condition. Depression or mood disorder is a serious health issue and requires an accurate diagnosis to treat whoever is going through this condition. Therefore, if anyone ever encounters symptoms of this disorder, immediately seek medical assistance.