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by Dr.Meghna varma
Depression & its impact on your physical health
All of us have days when we feel low or sad, when it all feels like gloom & doom. But if it lasts for a few weeks & you do not experience any feelings of hope or happiness, you may be experiencing depression.
Depression is a brain disorder that causes severe emotional anguish. But the changes in functioning of your brain, resulting from your emotional rollercoaster, can have a big effect on your body. So the fact that depression can contribute a wide range of physical symptoms doesn't really come as a surprise.
Common physical symptoms of depression :
Characteristics of individuals with high functioning anxiety that are often seen as positive:.
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Aches & pains
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Chronic Fatigue
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Decreased Libido
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Decreased Apptite
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Sleep Disturbances
It is a reality that individuals with depression often overlook these physical signs & symptoms of depression. This is so especially in case of older adults where the sleep disturbances, fatigue & worries are incorrectly dismissed as natural part of the aging process.
Depression Vs Risk of Physical Illnesses
Did you know that apart from causing physical symptoms, depression can actually increase your risk of serious physical illnesses like heart disease? A Harvard study indicates that there is a two way relationship between heart disease & depression. It is critical to get help for depression, as it can be very debilitating.
Many physical changes like weight loss/gain, insomnia caused by depression are thought to weaken the immune system. This is likely to make an existing illness worse. In turn, the physical changes caused by the disease can trigger or worsen depression. All these changes create a vicious cycle that's tough to break without treatment for both, the physical ailment as well as depression.
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Many serious illnesses coexist with depression. These include:
- Heart attack
- Coronary artery disease
- Parkinson's disease
- Autoimmune disorders like lupus or multiple sclerosis
- HIV/AIDS
- Stroke
- Cancer
- Diabetes
- kidney disease
Further, it is important to receive treatment for the physical illness as well as for depression because depression can make it more difcult for the patient to take medications, stick to a regimen & manage chronic pain
Treating Depression:Treating Depression:
As you have read, physical & mental health greatly affect each other & our health & survival depends to a great extend upon the delicate balance between the two.
It is important to discuss all your symptoms, both physical & psychological, in detail with your doctor. This will help your doctor identify the root cause behind the symptoms, whether psychological or physical or both.
The best part about treating depression is that it positively impacts your overall health.
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