Contrary to popular belief, it’s not just the mood that can be affected by depression. Mental health experts say that it’s something that can actually have all sorts of effects on the body. Continue reading this article if you want to learn about some of the effects of depression on the body of an individual who is suffering from it.
Make sure that you repost this article online so that everyone you care about who has depression may also know more about the mental illness’ impact on the body, encouraging him or her to seek professional help.
Weight Gain
It’s not unlikely for someone who is depressed to become an emotional eater — someone who turns to a lot of food, most especially unhealthy ones such as ice cream and cake, in order to find comfort and happiness. Because of this, there is always this possibility for a depressed individual to gain unwanted pounds.
Gaining of additional pounds can also be blamed on the fact that someone who is battling depression may no longer have the urge to engage in regular exercise to stay fit and healthy.
Weight Loss
On other hand, a person who has depression may also end up losing a lot of weight. It can be attributed to a significant loss of interest in things that the individual once found enjoyable, such as eating. Doctors say that excessive weight loss can bring about many other problems, including fatigue and even fertility- and heart-related issues.
Heart Disease
Speaking of heart-related issues, doctors say that it is possible for someone who is diagnosed with depression to have an increased risk of suffering from high blood pressure, heart disease, heart attack and stroke one day. Such is due to the individual’s choice of unhealthy foods paired with lack of exercise.
Actually, a study published in the American Journal of Hypertension back in 2015 stated that about 1 in every 5 people with coronary artery disease or heart failure had depression.
Insomnia
One of the most common complications of depression is insomnia, which is something that can instigate a vicious cycle. Someone who is feeling depressed may have a hard time getting a good night’s sleep, and being sleep deprived can actually make the individual feel even more depressed the following day.
Chronic Inflammation
According to mental health experts, a person who is dealing with depression may have chronic inflammation, something that can trigger all sorts of health problems to strike.
Type 2 diabetes, arthritis, osteoporosis, irritable bowel syndrome or IBS — all of these can be blamed on uncontrolled inflammation within the body, according to the medical community. However, some experts are unsure whether depression causes chronic inflammation or chronic inflammation is making someone at risk of depression.
Digestive Issues
Other than IBS due to chronic inflammation, there are a bunch of other problems related to the digestive system that can be encountered by someone who is depressed. Some of them include nausea, vomiting, indigestion, constipation and diarrhea. Experts say that it’s likely due to the response of the body to depression and the stress it brings.
Pain
It’s very much possible for a depressed individual to experience all sorts of pain, many of which cannot be explained by doctors themselves. Headaches, joint achiness and breast tenderness are some of those that can bug depressed individuals. Unfortunately, various aches and pains can worsen depression.
As a result, experts say that people who are suffering from depression are at risk of overusing painkillers. Similarly, excessive intake of painkillers, according to studies, can make a person more vulnerable to depression.
Seeking the help of a therapist or psychiatrist is highly recommended if you are suffering from depression and it’s already affecting your life in different negative ways.
