9 Physical Symptoms of Depression

By Melissa Breyer, Senior Editor, Healthy & Green Living

There are obvious signs of depression, like feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and anxiety–but depression can also cause unexplained physical symptoms. Physical pain and depression are closely related. Simply put, pain can be depressing, and depression causes and intensifies pain. Some research shows that pain and depression share common pathways in the limbic (emotional) region of the brain. In fact, the same chemical messengers control pain and mood. According to an article published by the Harvard Medical School, people with chronic pain have three times the average risk of developing psychiatric symptoms–usually mood or anxiety disorders–and depressed patients have three times the average risk of developing chronic pain.

Many people suffering from depression never get help because they don’t realize that pain may be a symptom of depression. The importance of understanding the physical symptoms of depression is that treating depression can help with the pain–and treating pain can help with depression.

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Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Ness W.

5:10AM PDT on May 13, 2012

I have found my Wii EA Active helps me put on weight as muscle mass and has increased my appetite but I still struggle with pain in various places and sleep problems.
I have lost a job in the past due to my manager not understanding depression

send a green star

Dale O.

7:20PM PDT on May 8, 2012

Sorry, I meant Tai Chi, not tai, chi! (below)

Interesting article-also one can suffer from thyroid problems which mimics many aspects of depression.

One can certainly condense this article into less pages, but then, advertising has its own agenda. For those of us wanting less pages, we are likely stuck with this now.

It is difficult but walking, tai, chi or other forms of exercise does help a bit-not easy if one has clinical depression and every thing

Speaking of depressing am watching the news about police officers who beat to death a homeless man who was no threat to them whatsoever-he has a mental illness and six officers just beat him to death for no reason. Now that is horrific! Beware if one is suffering from mental health issues and homeless! So much stigma attached to mental health issues and homelessness it is beyond belief!

Donna H.

5:19PM PDT on May 7, 2012

Thanks for the info.

Anna N.

7:02AM PDT on Mar 12, 2012

8 out of 9... and clinically diagnosed depression.

7:00AM PDT on Mar 12, 2012

Janine H.

4:33AM PST on Nov 6, 2011

Thank you for the article. It is sad, when someone is alone. And i hope that other people have someone behaves supportedly towards and who takes them seriously.

Always when i hear about terrible things it makes me sad, and i cannot understand how someone could do something terrible - hurt, rape or kill a person or animal. When i was a child this also happened to me... and surviving this is more terrible than not (parents and other may think different, but a victim?), living with all this pain... living with guilty feelings... full with hate for the own self
No one can understand, because most people cannot imagine this, cannot imagine how much it change. Some of them think, that this would not be so terrible, because all would make some sexual experiences, and so it would not matter if there were some without own interest or wish. This cruel and superficial society makes me sick.

I know that it is not good to wish someone who does terrible things something as a punishment. But when i hear about violent people then i think why are they so "afraid" to go to someone equal and get some hits for their selves. This is a perversion, to think being more a man when beating a woman or a girl. This men are a shame for all normal men.

About me... there is no one who takes me seriously... :( i hate my own life, i wish i would vanish... that no one would have a burden (me) anymore...

Please forgive these sadness

"Only when the last tree has been cut down; Only when the last

Tim C.

1:57PM PDT on Aug 23, 2011

thanks

Marcia M.

4:43AM PDT on Jun 8, 2011

Thank for the info.

Pat C.

1:11PM PDT on May 22, 2011

Bonniejean, depression can be genetically linked so you can be born with a leaning toward depression that your environment enhances. See a doctor for medication. It may take some adjustments and trying different medications but there are so many good ones out there now! Good luck nag God bless!