Severe Depression Physical Symptoms Depression that is severe can trigger physical symptoms, such as fatigue, pain, and difficulty sleeping Different people experience depression differently, but there are ways to manage these symptoms and seek assistance should you require it It's normal for all of us to feel depressed or depressed at times However, if these feelings are persistent and cause disruption to your daily life it could indicate depression Certain people suffer from depression because of long-term stress Fatigue Fatigue is one of the most frequent and severe symptoms of depression It's like having a constant and constant fatigue even when you're getting enough sleep Fatigue is also an effect of antidepressant medication, so you should discuss your symptoms with a physician There's no exact definition of fatigue, but it's usually described as a feeling of tiredness that persists over a long period of time and interferes with your daily life Fatigue can be accompanied by several other symptoms, including difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep Other symptoms include muscle pain, changes to appetite and feelings of weakness According to some studies people with depression are more tired than those who are not suffering from the condition Some causes of fatigue are obvious, like being exhausted, not eating a balanced diet, or excessive use of alcohol or drugs However, other causes of fatigue aren't as evident and could include thyroid disease, anemia or chronic liver, kidney or lung diseases The most common cause of fatigue is illnesses, infections and certain minerals and vitamins For instance iron deficiency can trigger fatigue, but it's easily treated by eating more foods that are rich in minerals like red meat, spinach, and fish Many people suffering from depression feel that they lack energy and feel too exhausted to complete any task This can cause issues at work, in relationships and in everyday activities In addition, fatigue can make it harder to maintain a healthy weight or take regular exercise You can utilize several self-measurement questionnaires to determine the degree of fatigue you're experiencing These include the Fatigue Symptom Inventory and the Fatigue Severity Scale Both require you to answer questions about your emotional and physical functioning in the last month Your answers are used to build a scoring system that will show higher scores as a sign of more fatigue Difficulty sleeping If you have difficulty sleeping, you could be depressed If you're having trouble falling asleep or staying asleep, or waking frequently throughout the night, it may affect your ability to function through the day It may cause anxiety, fatigue, and weight growth https//wwwiampsychiatrycom/depression-symptoms include a feeling or heavy or heavy feeling stomach pain or bloating, difficulty in digesting food, reduced desire to be sexually active or dysfunction, and changes in appetite In a recent study, 69 of patients diagnosed with depression also reported somatic symptoms Depression can also affect your eyesight which can make the world appear blurry and unclear This can be due to an alteration in the way your brain processes visual data This can lead to difficulties with reading, driving or working with numbers It can be difficult to maintain when you're tired, have low energy and lack interest in enjoyable activities This could lead to a lower fitness level as well as depression, weight gain and fatigue Numerous medical conditions, like heart disease, cancer, and neurodegenerative disorders, may cause depression Certain medications can cause depression, like antipsychotics and neurotransmitter inhibitors In some instances depression may be triggered by a life event or hormonal change Menopausal changes, pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum depression are all associated with depression-related episodes in certain women Women with bipolar disorders can also experience depressive symptoms, as well as manic phases that are characterized by an increase in activity and a feeling of elation If you're experiencing the physical signs of depression, it's best to see your primary care doctor or a mental health professional as soon as you can They can assess your symptoms and recommend treatments such as psychotherapy or medication If your symptoms are severe, they could suggest a more intensive course of treatment, such as electroconvulsive therapy ECT or deep brain stimulation DBS Consult your physician to discuss the options available to you Headaches Pain can be a difficult symptom to detect particularly when the pain is unexplained The pain that is triggered by depression usually occurs in the head or back however, it can also be felt throughout the body Typically, pain from depression is mild to moderate and doesn't affect daily activities Depression and pain are linked because they share the same neurological pathways and chemicals in the brain Pain is more likely to occur in conjunction with severe depression episodes and can occur more frequently or last longer Headaches, particularly cluster headaches, can be an indication that you are depressed These are headaches that typically happen for about one to two months at a time, generally at the same time every year Cluster headaches are similar to regular headaches, but are more intense and last for longer The discomfort in the chest or stomach can be a sign that you're depressed, as well as more sweating, fatigue and sleeplessness People with depression tend to feel less able to control their moods and actions, and that can sometimes cause self-destructive behaviours such as overeating or drinking too much alcohol They may also experience changes in their appetites, which can include cravings for food that aren't typical for them People with depression may experience digestive issues, like constipation or diarrhea Back and muscle pain is another symptom of depression It is often linked to poor posture or injuries This type of pain can be made worse by stress or certain food items and is more prevalent in women than men Depression is believed to cause back and muscle pain because it interferes with the nerve pathways that control both pain and mood receptors Other signs of depression are changes in voice, a slowing of movement, and purposeless movements such as fidgeting Depression can also make it harder to focus and remember information and some sufferers have trouble making decisions If your symptoms are physical or emotional, you should make an appointment with a doctor if you have been feeling them for a long time A health care specialist can assist you in connecting to treatment options including psychotherapy and medication Muscle Aches Muscle aches are a common sign of depression They can be painful It can be difficult to diagnose depression when the first symptoms are not obvious aches and pains The root cause of depression and pain is due to neurotransmitters, such as serotonin or norepinephrine The inability to regulate these transmitters can cause pain and depression The pain-depression link is bidirectional Depression can cause pain to become more severe and chronic pain may worsen depression Many of the aches and discomforts that depression causes can be treated at home Exercise, a proper diet and sufficient sleep can help you manage the pain and improve mood If you are suffering from chronic pain, your healthcare provider may prescribe medicine or recommend a specialized pain clinic Generalized muscle aches can be a sign of rhabdomyolysis, an illness that causes breakdown of muscle tissue and the release of harmful substances into the bloodstream This condition can be caused by overuse and certain medications or illicit drugs Other types of muscle pain are parasites, fungi or viral infections They can be treated with antibiotics, antivirals or antiparasitic medications If you're experiencing generalized muscle pain, it's crucial to consult your physician or therapist If your pains and aches stem from an underlying condition, your healthcare provider might suggest treatment that includes stretching, hydration and exercises Aspirin and ibuprofen are available prescription pain relievers available over the counter that can help ease discomfort If your aches and pains are due to depression, consult your therapist or doctor about identifying and managing the underlying factors that can cause the symptoms