According to the National Comorbidity Study, more than 16 percent of Americans experience depression at some point. It remains a costly but treatable condition that's ignored far too often. Most people associate depression with changes in nothing but mood and personality. In reality, depression can affect virtually all bodily functions.
Headaches
According to a study that appeared in the Journal of Affective Disorders in 1989, roughly half of those who undergo depression experience some kind of headaches. The most common types of headaches in these people were migraines and muscle tension headaches. According to another study released by the American Academy of Neurology, there is a "bidirectional association" between migraines and depression. This means that if you develop either migraines or depression, your risk of developing the other condition increases instantly. Getting treatment for either depression or headaches can significantly improve how you feel, but you should remember that the best course of action is to talk to your doctor and plan appropriate treatment for both.
Physical Pain
A study published in the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry demonstrated that there's a strong correlation between depression and pain, making it common for people suffering from depression to undergo physical pain as well. In this article, Dr. Trivedi says that two neurotransmitters, serotonin and norepinephrine, play vital roles in how your body experiences pain and mood. People suffering from depression often have imbalances in these neurotransmitters, which is linked to pain. For this reason, the Mayo Clinic strongly suggests treating depression and physical pain simultaneously. The extent and severity of depression-related pain varies largely between individuals. Some people may find themselves feeling no physical pain; others can experience pain severe enough to require treatment.
High Blood Pressure
High blood pressure is common among depressed people. Although depression may be partly due to certain medical conditions, most people develop the condition as a result of their psychological condition and their environment. Because the events that trigger depression are often extremely stressful, many people who experience depression find their blood pressure rising. Exposure to extended periods of stress is very common amongst depressed people. This makes high blood pressure one of the most frequent physical side effects of depression.
Problems Sleeping
As with most problems associated with depression, sleeping difficulties can be a cause or effect. Sleep patterns in people suffering from depression can be radically different from how they used to sleep before becoming depressed. Typically, depression makes it harder for people to fall asleep, or they might wake up in the middle of the night, reducing the total time they spend sleeping. Also, depressed people usually get very little deep sleep and they begin Rapid Eye Movement sleep (REM) much earlier than people living without depression. All of these can make it very hard for people suffering from depression to feel refreshed, which naturally adds to their condition.
References
- "Journal of Affective Disorders" Journal; Prevalence of migraine and muscle tension headache in depressive disorders; Marchesi, Ferri, Petrolini; vol. 16, 33-36, 1987.
- "Journal of Clinical Psychiatry"; The Link Between Depression and Physical Symptoms.; Trivedi; vol.6 12-16, 2004.
- "Neurology" Journal; Comorbidity of migraine and depression; Breslau, Lipton, Stewart; vol. 60, 1308-1312, 2003.
