While the emotional symptoms of major depression are easily recognizable, patients experiencing this condition may have some physical side effects. A study published in the October 2009 edition of the journal Psychosomatic Medicine found that major depression can also cause patients to exaggerate their physical symptoms. The 109 patients in the three-week study were asked if they were experiencing physical symptoms, including muscular pain, gastrointestinal and upper-respiratory problems. On the 22nd day, they were asked how often they experienced each symptom in the preceding weeks. Those scoring highest for depression overstated their symptoms.
Weight Loss
The general loss of interest in pleasurable activities caused by depression can lead to a loss of appetite, which can cause weight loss.
Weight Gain
In some cases, depression may be linked to hypothyroidism. A low-thyroid condition may interfere with the body's ability to produce serotonin, a neurotransmitter associated with a positive mental state. Hypothyroidism is also associated with weight gain. Depression caused by hypothyroidism may therefore cause weight gain.
Headache
The Harvard Mental Health Letter cites research about the link between depression and migraines. A person with a history of major depression was three times more likely to experience a first migraine attack, and a person with a history of migraine headaches was five times more likely to experience a first bout of depression.
Insomnia
Sleep researcher Michael Perlis, Ph.D. believes that insomnia is not only a side effect of depression; it is also a warning sign of an impending episode. An article in Psychology Today titled "Bedfellows: Insomnia and Depression" explains the interaction between these two conditions. Perlis found that episodes of insomnia may precede bouts of depression by five weeks. He believes that the insomnia may be what he calls a "compensatory mechanism" to enhance serotonin production, and he states that studies have found that extended periods of wakefulness can improve the efficiency of the serotonin neurotransmitter system.
Stomach Problems
The phrase "gut reaction'" is more than just a figure of speech. Some patients experiencing major depression also report stomach and digestive disorders.
