4 Physical Symptoms of Depression

Depression – or major depressive disorder – is a mood disorder and mental health condition that more than 16% of the United States population experiences at some point. 

While it’s normal to feel sad occasionally, depression can leave you feeling chronically sad, empty, and hopeless. It can even affect your health, relationships, and ability to work.

Depression can cause many mental and emotional health symptoms like irritability and loss of interest in activities, but it causes physical symptoms too. At The Modalities Group in Bowie, Maryland, our team wants you to know about these physical symptoms as they may indicate that you’re living with depression. 

Signs you’re dealing with depression

While depression is typically associated with mental health symptoms, it’s important not to dismiss all the physical issues that can also come with this condition. Because the physical symptoms of depression can also be signs of many other health conditions, your depression can go undiagnosed.

Here are some other physical symptoms to be on the lookout for:

• Chronic headaches or worsened migraine headaches
• Unexplained muscle aches or joint pain
• Digestive issues like nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or constipation
• Exhaustion and fatigue, regardless of how much sleep you get

These physical symptoms can lead to changes in appetite and weight and cause sleep problems. Some physical symptoms are present because depression affects the cell networks that control the sense of pain in the body. For example, your chronic pain can worsen if you’re also struggling with depression.

Treating physical symptoms of depression

If you recognize one or all of the above physical symptoms, seek professional help to see if depression could be at the root. Depression has many different treatment options, and our team can help find the best option for you and your needs.

One route that might be helpful is medication. Anti-depressants or anti-anxiety medications can help you relieve the mental or emotional symptoms of depression. This can start to lessen pain or help you sleep. 

Another option is cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), a form of talk therapy. CBT can help to identify negative thought patterns and unhelpful behaviors. By identifying these, you can pursue more healthy habits which may start to relieve your physical health issues.

If you resonate with the physical signs of depression, don’t wait to seek professional help. Contact our office in Bowie, Maryland at 240-599-3500 or use our convenient online scheduler to book an appointment today. If it's an emergency or you need urgent help, dial the crisis lifeline 988 for immediate support.