Physical Symptoms of Depression

When thinking about the signs of depression, many of us would give examples of emotional signals such as feeling sad or not having interest in daily activities. What we sometimes overlook though is the possible physical signs associated with depression. We overlook these signs so much that some suffering from depression don’t get the help they need because they initially only showed physical signs. It’s important to become aware of these physical signs of depression because identifying them may lead to a fast discovery and treatment. Although these symptoms do not always suggest depression, below are some common physical symptoms of depression.

• Headaches
• Those who suffer from depression are three times more likely to have frequent headaches and migraines.

• Back Pain
• Back pain can sometimes be symptom of depression. Those who have depression are four times more likely to have back pain. 

• Muscle Aches and Joint Pain
• If you already suffer from chronic pains, depression can make it worse. 

• Chest Pains
• Pain in your chest can be associated with depression, however if you are suffering from chest pain it’s important to see a doctor right away and it could be a serious heart issue. 

• Digestive Problems
• Depression can cause digestive problems like nausea and chronic constipation. Depression should be investigated and ruled out before major treatments for these digestive problems are started.

• Exhaustion and fatigue
• Depression and fatigue go hand in hand. When suffering from depression sometimes no matter how much sleep you get, you still feel tired. 

• Sleep Disturbances
• Depression can have and opposite effects on your sleep. Some suffers have a hard time falling asleep or being unable to go back to sleep, whereas others may sleep far more than they usually do. 

• Changes in weight
• Many studies show that an increase in weight can be associated with depression. This change is usually present more in women than men. 

Written By: Jenai Muhammad, graduate level intern and Charity M. Loring, LMSW,  Loring Therapy, LLC www.loringtherapy.com Adapted from: http://www.care2.com/greenliving/9-physical-symptoms-of-depression.html?page=1 9 Physical symptoms of Depression. By Melissa Breyer.