Listening to Your Body: Recognizing Physical Signs of Depression
Depression is a type of mood problem that makes you feel really sad and lose interest in things you used to enjoy. People also call it major depressive disorder or clinical depression. It’s when someone feels really down and it’s more than just feeling sad. It affects how you feel, think, and act, and it can cause lots of emotional and physical issues. Sometimes, it can make regular activities hard to do, and you might even feel like life isn’t worth living.
Depression is more than just feeling down for a little while. It’s not a sign of being weak, and you can’t just “snap out” of it. Sometimes, treating depression takes a while and needs ongoing help. But don’t lose hope. Most people with depression start feeling better with the help of medicines, talking with a therapist, or both.
Symptoms of Depression:
1. Sleep problem:
Having trouble sleeping is a common problem when you’re feeling down or depressed. Some people might have a hard time falling asleep or staying asleep, while others might end up sleeping too much.
Learn About….. Sleep Disorder
2. Chest pain:
Feeling pain in your chest can sometimes mean there’s something wrong with your heart, lungs, or stomach. It’s important to see a doctor to check if it’s a serious issue. But sometimes, chest pain can also be linked to feeling depressed.
3. Fatigue and Exhaustion
Depression doesn’t just affect your mood; it can also make you more likely to have heart problems. People who have had heart attacks are also more likely to feel depressed.
If you’re always feeling extremely tired and don’t have the energy to do everyday things, even if you rest a lot, it could be a sign that you’re depressed. When you’re depressed, feeling tired and worn out can make everything feel even harder.
4. Aching Muscles and Joints
When your muscles and joints ache for a long time, it can increase your chances of feeling depressed. The brain chemicals that affect pain are also connected to depression. People who are depressed are three times more likely to have ongoing pain.
5. Digestive Problems
Our brains and stomachs are linked together, which is why stress and worry can give us stomachaches or nausea. Depression can also affect your stomach and digestion, leading to problems like feeling sick, indigestion, diarrhea, or constipation.
6. Headaches and Sadness
Headaches are something many people experience, and a study discovered that those who are feeling very sad, like in major depression, are more likely to suffer from intense headaches known as migraines. Interestingly, people who frequently get migraines are also more prone to feeling very sad.
7. Appetite Changes and Weight
When someone becomes sad or depressed, their appetite might go through changes. Some individuals might not feel hungry at all, while others might find it hard to stop eating. These changes can lead to gaining or losing weight and feeling tired often.
8. Depression and Eating Issues
Depression is linked to eating problems, such as eating too much or too little. This connection includes conditions like bulimia, anorexia, and binge eating.
9. Back Pain and Emotional Well-being
Frequent back pain can contribute to feelings of sadness. People experiencing deep sadness might also suffer from severe neck or back pain, which can make it difficult to perform daily activities.
10. Restlessness and Its Causes
Feeling restless and unable to calm down can be due to sleep troubles or the weight of intense sadness. Interestingly, males might become more easily irritable when they’re feeling very sad compared to females.
Recognizing Depression in Kids and Teens
Kids and teenagers can feel depressed too, and their signs are a lot like those in grown-ups, but sometimes a bit different.
For younger kids, here are some things that might show they’re depressed:
- Feeling really sad
- Being easily annoyed
- Acting extra attached to family
- Being overly worried
- Complaining about aches and pains
- Not wanting to go to school
- Not gaining enough weight
For teenagers, these signs might point to depression:
- Feeling really sad or angry
- Thinking they’re no good and feeling bad about themselves
- Being easily upset and feeling like no one understands
- Doing worse in school or not going
- Using drugs or alcohol
- Eating too much or too little
- Hurting themselves
- Losing interest in stuff they used to like
- Avoiding friends
Remember, if you see these signs, it’s important to talk to a grown-up who can help.
Depression symptoms in older people
Getting older doesn’t mean feeling sad is a normal part of life. Depression isn’t something to ignore. Sadly, many older people have depression, but it often doesn’t get noticed or treated. Sometimes, older folks don’t want to ask for help. Signs of depression might look different or not be as clear in older adults. Signs to Pay Attention to:
- Trouble with remembering things or changes in how they act
- Feeling physical pain or discomfort
- Feeling very tired, not wanting to eat, having trouble sleeping, or not wanting to be intimate — and this isn’t because of a medical problem or medicine
- Preferring to stay home instead of going out to meet people or try new things
- Thinking about suicide or feeling that way, especially in older men
When should you talk to a doctor?l
If you’re feeling really sad, it’s a good idea to make an appointment with a doctor or someone who knows about mental health as soon as possible. If you’re unsure about getting help, you can also talk to a friend, a family member, a healthcare person, a religious leader, or someone else you trust.
When is it an emergency?
If you’re thinking about hurting yourself or ending your life, call 911 right away if you’re in the U.S. Or call your local emergency number if you’re in another country.
You can also consider these options if you’re having thoughts about hurting yourself:
- Call your doctor or someone who helps with mental health.
- Reach out to a suicide hotline.
- In the U.S., you can call or text 988 to talk to the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, which is open 24/7. You can also use the Lifeline Chat. These services are private and free.
- S. veterans or service members can call 988 and press “1” for the Veterans Crisis Line, or text 838255, or chat online.
- If you prefer to speak Spanish, you can reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 1-888-628-9454 (it’s toll-free, so you don’t have to pay for the call).
- You can also have a conversation with a good friend or a family member you feel close to and trust.
- Get in touch with a minister, spiritual leader, or someone else from your faith community.
If you’re worried that someone you care about might hurt themselves or has already tried, make sure to stay with them. Call 911 or your local emergency number right away. Or, if you can do it safely, take them to the nearest hospital emergency room.
