When we hear the word depression, most of us immediately think of mental things like sadness, loneliness, frustration, and a feeling of not wanting to do anything. It's true, these are the main symptoms of depression. But did you know that this mental state also has a very strong impact on your body? Sometimes, the real reason for the various physical ailments, pains, and discomforts that you have been feeling for a long time may be this pressure in your mind.
These are not just "imaginary things." Depression is a condition that can actually cause changes in your body. For example, it can slow down your digestion and cause stomach problems. Because these physical symptoms can occur with many other illnesses, many people don't seek treatment for them. They don't even think about the possibility that their physical problems could be caused by a mental condition. Sometimes, even doctors can miss the connection.
Why does depression cause body pain?
To understand this, we need to take a simple look at how the brain works. There are nerve cell networks in our brain that control emotions, such as sadness and happiness. Surprisingly, some of the nerve cell networks that cause us to feel physical pain also work in conjunction with these emotion-controlling networks.
So, in a person with a condition like depression, these neural networks in the brain don't work properly. So, many experts believe that the way a person with depression feels pain is different than the average person. They may feel pain more intensely. That means that any pain you already have, like a backache, may be made worse by depression.
Simply put, what's happening here is that the pain in your heart is coming out as pain in your body. The two are connected.
The most common physical symptoms of depression
Okay, let's take a look at the most common physical symptoms of depression and how they might make you feel. See if you have one or more of these.
| Physical Symptom | How does that feel? |
|---|---|
| Headaches | Headaches that are constant. Sometimes you can't even figure out what's causing them. If you've had migraines before, they can be even worse. |
| Back, Muscle & Joint Pain | My back hurts all the time for no reason, my muscles hurt, my joints hurt. I feel like I'm tired, but I'm not that tired. |
| Chest Pain | This is something to be very careful about. Chest pain can be a symptom of a serious condition in the heart, lungs, or stomach. So if you have chest pain, definitely see a doctor or go to an ETU (Emergency Treatment Unit). However, sometimes depression can also cause such discomfort. |
| Digestive Problems | Stomach upset, nausea, bloating, stomach cramps, etc. Some people get diarrhea, others get constipation. |
| Changes in appetite or weight | Some people lose all desire to eat and lose weight. Others gain weight by craving foods that contain carbohydrates (bread, rice, sweets). |
| Exhaustion and Fatigue | No matter how much sleep you get, you don't feel tired. Even getting out of bed in the morning feels like a big struggle, maybe even impossible. You feel lifeless all day long. |
| Sleeping Problems | Many people have trouble sleeping at night. They wake up in the morning and can't get back to sleep. Or they struggle to fall asleep for hours after going to bed. In contrast, some people sleep much more than normal. |
| Dizziness or Lightheadedness | Sometimes feeling dizzy or having difficulty standing can also be a physical symptom of depression. |
What do we do with these physical characteristics?
If you have had one or more of these physical symptoms for a long time, don't just assume they will "get better on their own." Be sure to talk to your doctor about this.
Do this before going to see the doctor.
If you can, write about your symptoms in a small book, like a symptom diary.
- What kind of pain did I feel today? (e.g. headache, back pain)
- How bad is it? (Rate on a scale of 1-10)
- What time of day did you feel it the most?
- What was I doing at that time?
- How did I feel? (Was I sad, angry, stressed?)
By writing down some details like this, it will be much easier for you and your doctor to understand the connection between these symptoms and your mental state.
What are the treatments?
In most cases, when you receive the right treatment for your depression (counseling, medication, or both), these physical symptoms will naturally decrease.
- Medication: Some antidepressants work by restoring the function of the chemicals (neurotransmitters) that carry messages between nerve cells in the brain that I mentioned earlier. As your mood improves, your physical pain will also begin to decrease. Your doctor may prescribe medications like `duloxetine` and `venlafaxine`, which are especially helpful for managing chronic pain, as well as older medications like `amitriptyline`.
- Other treatments: If you are having trouble sleeping, your doctor may decide to give you a different medication for that. Since pain and depression go hand in hand, reducing pain can also help reduce depression.
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): This is a form of counseling. It teaches you how to better deal with your pain and change the way you think about it. This can have positive effects on both your mental and physical health.
The important thing is, you don't have to deal with these things alone. Asking for help is empowering. Your doctor is ready to help you.
Take-Home Message
- Depression isn't just limited to the mind. It can also cause real pain and discomfort in your body.
- Frequent headaches, body aches, stomach upset, extreme fatigue, and sleep problems can be physical symptoms of depression.
- These physical characteristics are not "something you just made up in your mind." They have a biological reason. So don't ignore them.
- Talk openly with your doctor about all of your mental and physical symptoms. There may be a connection between the two.
- When depression is treated properly, these troubling physical symptoms often gradually disappear, so don't be afraid to seek help.
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