Depression is a brain disorder that can lead to a lot of emotional pain. But changes in the way the brain works can also have a big effect on the body.
Depression contributes to a wide range of physical problems that affect many parts of the body, from the heart to the immune system, writes WebMD. Some diseases can also cause depression, creating a vicious circle from which it is difficult to get out.
Depression affects health in many more ways than mood. These are some of the most common physical symptoms of depression:
- increased pain, which occurs in approximately two out of three people with depression
- chronic fatigue
- decreased libido
- decreased appetite
- insomnia, lack of deep sleep or oversleeping
What causes the physical symptoms of depression?
Changes in the brain affect many body systems. For example, abnormal functioning of neurotransmitters such as serotonin can alter the pain threshold. This means that you become more sensitive to pain, especially in the back, reports Ordinacija.
Serotonin also affects sleep and reduces sex drive. Almost half of people with depression have problems with their sex life.
Unfortunately, the physical symptoms of depression are often overlooked. Some studies have found that sleep problems, fatigue, and health concerns are reliable indicators of depression in older adults. But these signs are often routinely dismissed as a natural part of aging.
Depression causes diseases
Depression increases the risk of many diseases and other conditions by increasing the level of stress hormones such as cortisol or adrenaline.
Depression can affect the immune system, making it harder for the body to fight infection. Some vaccines may even be less effective in older people with depression. Depression is also associated with heart disease.
All these changes can lead to a vicious circle that is difficult to break without treating depression and other diseases.
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