27 Oct 6 Physical Signs of Depression
Depression is a common mental illness, one which can be very difficult to detect in a person if not discussed openly. There may be someone going about their usual routine, smiling, and laughing, who is also suffering with depression. There may be someone who is actively negative and angry all the time, but who isn’t depressed at all.
While depression is a mental illness, there are also physical symptoms of this condition, too. This is because the negative effects on the mind can produce physical results in the body consequently.
What is Depression?
Depression is a mental illness that produces low mood, having the capability to affect your life daily. Depression manifests in many forms and may be slight to severe. It has the potential to affect a few hours of your day or every single minute of the day. Other results of depression include lack of motivation, finding no enjoyment in activities you used to love, and struggling with everyday routine. Anyone can get depression at any age.
6 Physical Signs of Depression
As those suffering from depression may not always admit to it or seek help, it’s important to understand the physical symptoms of depression in order to better identify it. Or it may be that you’re unsure whether your own struggles are depression-related, and you’d like to check any physical signs, too.
1. Change in Appetite
Depression may leave a person unable to cook through a lack of motivation or turning to comfort or junk food. It may also mean they are not eating at all, are sleeping through mealtimes, and/or skipping meals.
2. Change in Sleeping Pattern
A person suffering from depression may have disturbed sleep in which they are constantly waking up. Alternatively, it may be that they cannot fall asleep at all.
3. Lack of a Personal Hygiene Routine
As depression severely impacts the level of motivation a person can have, it can easily affect their ability to care for themselves hygienically. Suddenly, the idea of washing their hair, getting dressed in clean clothes, or brushing their teeth can feel like monumental or pointless tasks. There are environments that can encourage healthier habits and help those struggling, such as igniteteentreatment.com.
4. Weight Change
Due to the stresses of depression or a change in eating routine, this condition could result in significant weight loss or unhealthy weight gain. This can be exacerbated through a lack of exercise or a lack of physical movement at all.
5. Aches and Pains
These are common for those suffering with depression. Aches and pains like headaches, joint pain, or pain in the limbs can occur, many of which may worsen through lack of activity or lack of proper rest.
6. Slower Reflexes or Sluggish Behavior
Due to the sapping of a person’s energy, depression can result in rather sluggish behavior. This could be moving slowly, becoming clumsier, or struggling to speak coherently.
It’s important to always pay attention to physical changes in yourself, and in those close to you, for the good of proper health. If there is no other physical medical reason for significant changes in physical behavior, then a mental illness such as depression could be the cause.