Effects Of Depression On Physical Health
By Toby TunwaseDepression refers to a mental health condition that causes individuals to have a low mood and leaves them feeling a sense of hopelessness and sadness. Depressive symptoms may be temporary in response to a sad situation, but it could be that there is a severe depressive disorder when it lasts longer.
Some of the symptoms of depression include:
- A perpetual feeling of sadness and emptiness
- Lack of pleasure in activities that were previously enjoyed
- Agitation and a general feeling of sluggishness
- Low energy levels and fatigue
- Suicidal thoughts
The effects of depression on the body are varied, but they include:
- Chronic Pain: A person who suffers from depression could experience intense pain in headaches, joint or muscle pains, and other unexplained aches. Many times, these pains end up pulling such individuals further into depression.
- Weight gains or loss: Depression also causes unintended appetite change, resulting in excessive weight gain or weight loss. Both situations are terrible as they lead to issues such as heart diseases or diabetes in the case of weight gain, and fatigue and fertility issues in the case of weight loss.
- Loss of sleep: Insomnia is a pervasive effect of depression, and it also leads to other problems such as blood pressure, heart diseases. The lack of sleep is because depression usually leaves people exhausted and worried, therefore unable to bring their body to a state of relaxation that allows for rest.