Do you know how depression affects not only your mind, but also your body?

When we think of depression, most of us think of it as a feeling of sadness, worry, and anxiety that is limited to the mind. But the story is actually much deeper than that. Did you know that depression, which affects the functioning of your brain, can affect your entire body? Depression can cause a lot of physical and mental problems. That's why sometimes, things like unexplained body aches and constant fatigue can be hidden behind depression.

What are the physical symptoms of depression?

Depression isn't just a mental condition. Here are some of the most common physical symptoms it can cause.

So why is this happening?

Simply put, changes in our brain affect the entire body. Our brain has a series of chemical messengers that carry information . We call these ``Neurotransmitters``. One of these is ``Serotonin``. In a person with depression, the functioning of these chemicals, such as serotonin, may be abnormal.

Think about it, this chemical called serotonin is involved in many things, like controlling our pain, sleep, and sexual desire. So when its function is impaired, you start to feel more pain than a normal person. That's why you see more things like back pain with depression.

Does depression increase the risk of developing other diseases?

Yes, absolutely. Depression causes our bodies to release more of the stress hormones, such as cortisol and adrenaline. This can cause:

• Weakened immune system: Our body's ability to fight off disease decreases. This can lead to frequent illnesses. Some vaccines, for example, for herpes, may even be less effective.
• Heart disease risk: Research has found a strong link between depression and heart disease.
• Prone to drug and alcohol abuse: Some people are at high risk of becoming addicted to drugs and alcohol due to their inability to handle stress.

Depression and physical illness: a interconnected chain

This is like a vicious cycle of interconnectedness. Think of it this way.

Depression can make it hard for you to sleep well. When you don't get enough sleep, your immune system weakens. When your immune system weakens, an existing illness (e.g. diabetes, arthritis) can worsen. As that illness worsens, the pain and discomfort it causes can make your depression worse. Do you understand how this works?

Because of this vicious cycle, depression can coexist with a number of other serious illnesses.

But here's an important point. Not everyone with these illnesses will develop depression, and not all of these illnesses will develop because of depression. For example, it hasn't been proven that depression causes cancer, but the two illnesses can coexist.

Treating depression improves overall health

Now you probably understand that your mental health and physical health are not two separate things, but one. So, when you go to see your doctor, be sure to talk about your mental problems as well as your physical discomfort. Sometimes, symptoms of depression can also be caused by medication you are taking for another condition. So, inform your doctor about all the medications you are taking.

The good news here is that if you get the right treatment for depression, it will not only improve your mental health, but also your overall physical health. That's like killing two birds with one stone.

• Treatments: Both medication and talk therapy are very effective treatments for depression. Sometimes both need to be used together.
• Exercise: New research has found that exercise is a very effective treatment for mild to moderate depression. Doing something like walking, running, or yoga every day can make a big difference.
• Other things:Some people are tempted to use things like herbal remedies. But you should definitely talk to your doctor before doing so. Some herbal remedies can interact negatively with other medications you are already taking.

Therefore, if you are also experiencing anxiety or sadness along with these physical symptoms, don't ignore it. It is not a weakness on your part. It is a condition that can be completely cured with treatment. Talk to your doctor about this today.