Although depression is a mental condition, it also has many physiological characteristics. While a depressed person may not display all of these physiological characteristics, many people with depression will display at least a few. However, it is important to note that different people may experience the same symptom in different ways, so anyone feeling depressed should still consult with a mental health professional even if no physiological characteristics seem to be present.
Sleep Problems
Many people suffering from depression will experience sleep problems, according to the Mayo Clinic. Having difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep and waking up in the early hours of the morning can all be sleep issues someone with depression may experience. However, many people experience the opposite effect and will sleep more than usual, a condition known as hypersomnia.
Changes in Appetite or Weight
Some people will experience a loss of appetite and avoid eating while depressed, while others will experience the opposite and begin to frequently overeat or eat for emotional reasons. Because of this, many depressed people will experience an unintentional increase or decrease in weight.
Fatigue
Feeling extremely tired and weak is another physiological characteristic of depression. This extreme fatigue can also make the depressed person feel physically incapable of getting out of bed or off the couch and make simple tasks like getting dressed or running errands seem overwhelming and difficult.
Low Libido
Loss of interest in all pleasurable activities is a characteristic of depression, but loss of libido is expressed physiologically. Whether the loss of libido is caused by the fatigue, aches and pains, or emotional reasons, the result is that the depressed person no longer has an interest in engaging in sexual activity.
Physical Pain
Frequent headaches, back pain, stomach pain or other unexplained aches and pains may be caused by depression, according to Aetna Intelihealth. In fact, many people who have difficulty recognizing their emotions will go to the doctor for these aches and pains, insistent that there is a medical reason behind them. However, the mind-body connection can be strong, and unexplained physical pain is a common physiological characteristic of depression.
