physical depression symptoms

Read and learn more about physical depression symptoms. For more, visit the Depression website DepressionLearning.com

Q: What are some external physical symptoms of depression?
Does depression cause physical symptoms such as acne, et. cetera, what are some things caused by depression, externally?
Does anyone know if clinical depression can cause hair loss, weight loss, loss of teeth, or any other physical/ external/ (cosmetic) changes and or loss?
Does anyone know if clinical depression can cause hair loss, weight loss, loss of teeth, or any other physical/ external/ (cosmetic) changes and or loss?

A: [edit] Symptoms
According to the[7]DSM-IV-TR criteria for diagnosing a major depressive disorder] (cautionary statement) one of the following two elements must be present for a period of at least two weeks:

Depressed mood, or
Anhedonia
It is sufficient to have either of these symptoms in conjunction with five of a list of other symptoms over a two-week period. These include:

Feelings of overwhelming sadness and/or fear, or the seeming inability to feel emotion (emptiness).
A decrease in the amount of interest or pleasure in all, or almost all, daily activities.
Changing appetite and marked weight gain or loss.
Disturbed sleep patterns, such as insomnia, loss of REM sleep, or excessive sleep (Hypersomnia).
Psychomotor agitation or retardation nearly every day.
Fatigue, mental or physical, also loss of energy.
Intense feelings of guilt, nervousness, helplessness, hopelessness, worthlessness, isolation/loneliness and/or anxiety.
Trouble concentrating, keeping focus or making decisions or a generalized slowing and obtunding of cognition, including memory.
Recurrent thoughts of death (not just fear of dying), desire to just “lie down and die” or “stop breathing”, recurrent suicidal ideation without a specific plan, or a suicide attempt or a specific plan for committing suicide.
Feeling and/or fear of being abandoned by those close to one.
Other symptoms often reported but not usually taken into account in diagnosis include:

Self-loathing.
A decrease in self-esteem.
Inattention to personal hygiene.
Sensitivity to noise.
Physical aches and pains, and the belief these may be signs of serious illness.
Fear of ‘going mad’.
Change in perception of time.
Periods of sobbing.
Possible behavioral changes, such as aggression and/or irritability.
Depression in children is not as obvious as it is in adults. Children may show symptoms such as:

Loss of appetite.
Irritability.
Sleep problems, such as recurrent nightmares.
Learning or memory problems where none existed before.
Significant behavioral changes; such as withdrawal, social isolation, and aggression.
An additional indicator could be the excessive use of drugs or alcohol. Depressed adolescents are at particular risk of further destructive behaviours, such as eating disorders and self-harm.

One of the most widely used instruments for measuring depression severity is the Beck Depression Inventory, a 21-question multiple choice survey.

It is hard for people who have not experienced clinical depression, either personally or by regular exposure to people suffering it, to understand its emotional impact and severity, interpreting it instead as being similar to “having the blues” or “feeling down.” As the list of symptoms above indicates, clinical depression is a serious, potentially lethal systemic disorder characterized by the psychiatric profession as interlocking physical, affective, and cognitive symptoms that have consequences for function and survival well beyond sad or painful feelings.

A recent study in Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease showed that alternative symptoms of depression including diminished drive, hopelessness and helplessness, lack of reactivity, anger, psychic and somatic anxiety can be as effective as current DSM-IV criteria in diagnosis. According to this study, diminished drive has a higher diagnostic criteria than all others except for depressed mood with sensitivity of 88.2 of specificity of 69.9. (PMID: 17041292)

Mnemonics commonly used to remember the DSM-IV criteria are SIGECAPS[8] (sleep, interest (anhedonia), guilt, energy, concentration, appetite, psychomotor, suicidality) and DEAD SWAMP[9] (depressed mood, energy, anhedonia, death (thoughts of), sleep, worthlessness/guilt, appetite, mentation, psychomotor).

Q: What are some physical symptoms of depression?
And why does depression cause physical symptoms aswell as mental symptoms?

A: I had to deal with vomiting on a few occasions. It happened about 3 or 4 times, usually on the day after I dealt with a bout of deep depression. I don’t know why there’s physical symptoms. I don’t know if psychiatrists know about that. Try webmd.

Q: What can happen to a person later in life if physical depression symptoms are never treated?

A: If the depression is fear based it is from the kidneys then renal failure, heart attack, diabetes or any other disease that is kidney related.

If the depression is anger based it is from the liver and the problems could be a failed liver, stomach problems, headaches or any other disease related to the liver.

One step that a person can do on their own is eat right and take supplements daily, drink water and exercise…..and laugh.

Byron Katie has three books out on how to deal with depression and I would suggest either one of her first 2 books. Information on the internet is available and if a person truly does ‘the work’ their lives can change. Personal note….one year ago I had to change my life for it wasn’t working for me. I stuck to my guns to change my life, I read Katie’s books and now I’m happier than I’ve ever been in my life.

Q: I have had all the symptoms of depression, now I’m getting physical symptoms. Is my depression getting worse?
I’m a 16 year old male, and I have been in a depressed mood constantly for a month and had all the 9 symptoms of depression, and I still do. But, now, I am getting some more physical symptoms, such as pain, nausea, headaches, etc. Is my depression getting worse? I don’t feel any better, but how much worse can it get?

A: Sounds like it’s getting worse. I’ve gone through the same things, but now that my medications are leveled out, I feel much better.

Q: Can depression/anxiety show itself in physical symptoms subconsciously?
Is it normal for people with depression or anxiety to not know whether or not they are experiencing a physical sickness or are just anxious/depressed? For me it feels like from the moment I wake up everyday I don’t feel well, especially in my stomach, and it seems like it is the physical symptoms that are causing me to be depressed and not depression to be causing physical symptoms… Does anyone know?

A: depression is most definitely reflected in our physical body, nausea, aches and pains etc are common complaints, and usually what drives a person to a doctor, who then diagnoses depression and refers them to a mental health therapist of psychiatrist for appropriate treatment.

Q: I have physical symptoms of depression and my mom won’t let me change antidepressants?
I’ve been sleeping alot lately probably 85% of the day and i have all these aches and pains and my mom doesn’t want me to change antidepressants but they’re not working. I don’t know any other way to treat it.

A: Your mom knows you better than you do, probably even better than the doctor does. Give her some credit.

Make sure you’ve been on your antidep for at least four full weeks before you judge it not helping.

Q: Do people who suffer from depression get physical symptoms as well?
you know, besides being sad and suicide thoughts and all that.

A: Yes, depression is far more than just feeling sad. I personally sleep like 14 hours a day, and am unable to do things (no energy) and also get a LOT of aches and pains, about as bad as you get when you have a cold (but not as bad as flu). My knees are hurting like holy hell right now. I also get constipation really bad sometimes – the intestines just aren’t moving like they should when a person has depression. Even when I keep my diet normal, with lots of fruits & veggies & whole grains, (hubby does the cooking when I am depressed) I get constipated.

Q: Strange physical symptoms depression?
I think I’m depressed, and i’ve had weird symptoms lately. For a few months I’ve had extremely bad gas pains, and I feel so full I can barely eat, I’m always burping . Can depression cause excess gas and stomachaches? And I’m not lactose intolerant.

A: Depression and anxiety can cause a multitude of physical symptoms. Depression can cause digestive problems but if it is bothering you I suggest speaking to your pcp.

Q: Has anyone had physical symptoms of anxiety and depression after miscarriage?
Before my miscarriage at 6 weeks, I had a “feeling” something was wrong. Right after the miscarriage, I stuffed my feelings deep down. After my first cycle, I started to feel achy in my feet and arms, physically numb and tingly,lost interest in things, had twitching and believed I myself was dying from a disease. A complete blood count and electrolyte panel were done (nothing) and the doctor told me I was suffering from anxiety and depression and I am now seeking counseling. Can the physical symptoms come first before you even realize your depressed? I guess I just feel that I was ‘right’ about the miscarriage, so I must be ‘right’ that something is truly physically wrong.

A: Yes! I had a miscarraige three years ago when I was in my second month and I know that I was an emotional/physical wreck and then some. I had to seek counseling and be put on anti-depressants for a few months. My doctor also told me that I would never be able to get pregnant again. The doctor was downright wrong. Thankfully I’m blessed and carrying a little baby girl now that’s due on september 15th

Q: what can i do for my physical symptoms from depression?
i’ve started doing counselling. But when i’m alone and bored. my muscles tense and sometimes i feel sick. what can i do

A: Do you think you might be feeling a little anxious? Anxiety is sometimes a symptom of depression too. You may want to talk to your counselor about relaxation techniques that you could use when you begin to feel tense and sick. It might be helpful for you focus on taking deep slow breaths, listening to relaxing music/nature sounds, or reading a relaxing story.
When you are depressed it is hard to find the motivation to do anything. Ironically, however, the motivation to do something often comes after starting a task. As difficult as it is in the mist of being depressed forcing yourself to do something–anything, even if its just eating breakfast or getting the mail can be difficult but also very satisfying.
Usually, as you start to feel better your energy level and your motivation should imnprove.

Hope this was helpful!

Q: Is there such a thing as purely physical depression?
I have been suffering many of the physical symptoms of depression: fatigue, headaches, lack of energy/interest to do things, weight gain, restlessness, and general “blah” feeling. However, other then your run of the mill stress, nothing has changed drastically in my life and I’m not sad or having suicidal thoughts or anything like that. I have been to the doctor and had a full blood work-up and physical (thyroid/iron level/cholesterol/proteins) and everything came back okay? Any ideas?

A: start with the basics – are you getting adequate nutrition? Doctors are clueless about this but its crucial. You need a good multi-vitamin, and omega-3 fats. Cut back on sugars and junk foods. Are you sleeping well? Sleep is a key too. For immediate relief of those feelings and to stop emotional related eating – I have my clients take Gabatrol as it can give relief in 15-20 minutes. its at http://www.Gabatrol.com

Q: What are physical pain symptoms of depression?
I experience tingling in my wrist, fingertips, feet,.My muscles or feeling of hot spots on my skin. It feels like I am being stuck with pens. Some times my arm goes numb. I am not sure what is going on and I don’t know where to turn whether to have blood test run or what.

A: Usually depression doesnt have physical symptoms. You should visit a doctor if your in pain, not ask yahoo

Q: What are the physical symptoms of depression…?

A: Physical signs of depression can include sudden weight loss (or weight gain) of 5% or more, sleep problems such as early morning or frequent awakenings, restlessness, anxiety, problems with concentration or decision-making.

Some articles that I’ve read indicate that pain in some form is present in 75% of depressed individuals. This may include backache, headache, muscle ache, etc.

Irritability, impatience and low frustration tolerance are other symptoms of which to be aware.

Q: Physical Symptoms Of Depression????
Lately, I have been feeling really down. I cry a lot, and i just feel like my life is hopeless. I have also noticed that i have been feeling out of it, like there is a black cloud hanging over my head and i can’t think straight. Could this be from depression? Or do you think it has to do with something else? What are some of the physical symptoms of depression?

Thank you

A: i get this
you said you were a recovering anorexic?
well again i say, so am I.

anorexia is, to some extent, like a drug addiction. it feeds you, the starvation. coming out of it can temporarily give you depressed and ill feelings. you can get dizzy, tired, ill from making your diet better.

the starvation side of anorexia also increases depression. your brain hasn’t got enough nutrients and being underweight your body finds difficulty in functioning and producing enough seretonin to stay happy.

just think, this is only a temporary state. take st johns wart (a herbal anti depressive) and keep eating and drinking healthily. go for walks, read, and speak to friends or family when your down.

make your you have lots of plans-days out with friends or family, projects, cinema trips? shopping? keep yourself happy. write short stories or make a comic book… the ideas are endless.

change your outlook.
next time its raining

“stop waiting for the storm to pass, go out and dance in the rain”
live for the moment.

=)

good luck x

Q: Will physical and mental symptoms of anxiety vanish after getting out of depression?
I suffer from weird mental symptoms of depression and anxiety due to problems i faced and still face since 3 yrs.. some of these symptoms are irrational thoughts and breathing problems.. what i want to know is that when i fix my problems and get out of depression, will these weird symptoms go?? Will i return normal? Please ppl who don’t know don’t answer thx I prefer answers from ppl who experienced these symptoms before.

A: Yes definitely you will return to your normal self. Anxiety & depression create a lot of weird thoughts, u can get out of the shower and all of a sudden your heart is beating fast, you find you can’t breathe properly, you want someone to help, but .. how will they understand??! The thing is, sometimes you can’t fix things by yourself, sometimes you need help. Sometimes you have to tell someone how you actually feel. Three years is a long time to carry it by yourself, let someone else help you! Think about someone you can trust; email them, text them, write to them. Tell them you need to talk to someone, tell them what you need or don’t need from them (eg lectures about right & worng). It took me awhile to trust, & when I did, I had to choose the right people. They are out there sometimes you just have to let them know. Be brave. Good luck xx

Related Posts

• anxiety and depression symptoms
• clinical depression symptoms
• bipolar depression symptoms
• signs symptoms of depression
• postpartum depression symptoms
• major depression symptoms
• manic depression symptoms
• symptoms of depression