Trigger warning: this article discusses clinical depression.
Depression is a mental health condition that affects approximately 280 million people worldwide. It is a condition that causes people to go through prolonged feelings of sadness, emptiness, and hopelessness.
- You no longer have the motivation to participate in previously enjoyed activities.
- You either sleep too much or too little.
- You feel a change in your appetite.
- You always feel tired.
- You feel worthless.
- You feel guilty.
- You face trouble concentrating.
- You become indecisive.
- You get sudden intrusive thoughts of death or suicide.
On top of all these symptoms, depression affects the body physically – not just mentally.
Physical Effects of Depression
- Weight gain or weight loss
Due to the change of appetite that a depressed person may experience, the result ends up in unintended weight gain or weight loss. Unfortunately, this change in the shape of the body causes a lot of people who are depressed to develop an eating disorder, including bulimia, anorexia, and binge eating.
- Chronic pain
People who are depressed often feel chronic pain in their joints and muscles without knowing why. Other types of pain include headaches and breast tenderness. However, the most common chronic pain due to depression is stomach aches. This is due to the stress that is inflicted on people who are depressed. Chronic pain in the digestive system often leads to other more serious health issues including IBS (irritable bowel syndrome), acid reflux, as well as constant nausea and vomiting.
- Heart disease
People who experience depression often experience constant stress. This stress increases heart rate and blood pressure, which causes reduced blood flow to the heart. Moreover, the body starts to produce higher levels of cortisol, which is a stress hormone. Over time, such effects can lead to heart disease.
- Inflammation
Research indicates that chronic stress and depression are linked to inflammation and may cause harm to the immune system. People with depression are more likely to have inflammatory conditions or autoimmune disorders, such as IBS (irritable bowel syndrome), type 2 diabetes, and arthritis. However, it is still unclear as to why depression causes such conditions.
- Sexual health problems
People who are depressed often face a decrease in their libido. They have trouble getting aroused, trouble orgasming, or they may experience less enjoyable orgasms. On the other hand, some people who have depression start to engage in higher levels of sexual activity. When a person orgasms, the brain releases dopamine, which is a hormone that is responsible for feelings of pleasure, desire, and motivation. For that, many depressed people turn to sex to feel moments of joy. Moreover, depressed people who are in a committed relationship might face problems in the relationship as a result of their depression and, in consequence, that affects their sexual relationship as well.
- Previous health conditions that become worse
Some people who are dealing with depression may already be facing other types of chronic health conditions. To many, chronic illnesses already feel isolating and stressful, and depression may exacerbate these feelings. Moreover, a person with depression may struggle to follow their treatment plan, which can allow the symptoms to get worse. In addition, the various types of physical damage that depression causes will worsen a previous health condition that a person may hold.
- Trouble sleeping
People with depression most often experience insomnia or trouble sleeping. Lack of sleep can leave them feeling exhausted, making it difficult to go on with their day-to-day activities. Unfortunately, doctors link sleep deprivation to a lot of health problems including high blood pressure, diabetes, weight-related issues, and some types of cancer. On the other hand, many depressed people suffer hypersomnia. Hypersomnia is a condition where the person sleeps excessively. Many people with this sleeping disorder describe sleeping as an escapist activity from their life which is being affected by depression.
As a conclusion, it is important to know that depression is treatable. With the help of your loved ones, seeking a therapist or a psychiatrist is a great option. They may recommend a combined approach, which includes the use of medication, therapy, and lifestyle changes. With the right support system, a person can manage both the physical and mental health effects of depression.