Is there anyone in your family suffering from lack of energy, sleeping problems and discomfort in the body? Perhaps it's you. You may have depression. People already diagnosed know well the emotional side effects of this mood disorder. They may be aware they hurt, but don't know physical pain is also part of this very common mental disorder.
Emotional Side Effects of Depression
One symptom is being extremely tired even if you get a great deal of sleep. Your body seems so heavy you can hardly move out of bed in the morning. You have problems making decisions about the simplest matters. Then there is the dullness of feeling which can result in not caring about much of anything. Some people have sadness, crying and being unable to stop their tears. The feelings of sadness and loneliness can be so difficult that death would be welcomed.
Physical Pain as a Side Effect of Depression
People don't realize that physical pain increases with sadness and despair. Research on this topic has been done at the Indiana University School of Medicine. The results have shown that the physical difficulties may be a sure sign of depression. The discomfort results from what is happening with the feelings. When the body begins to feel better it is a sign of how a patient is doing emotionally.
Patients didn't originally think the discomfort in their body was connected to their low mood. Physicians noticed that patients will often talk about headaches, muscle tension and lower back discomfort instead of the sadness and despair. These problems occur two to three times more often than in the general population. They will also last longer than the low feelings. What is happening with the body is used by doctors to tell if certain medications are working.
The Mind-Body Connection
Those who study the effect of the mind upon the body know how aches and pain can be a direct result of what is happening emotionally. When stressed the body produces certain chemicals and hormones. These can cause problems in the body if produced long-term. This is why it is crucial to treat people who exhibit a long-standing mood disorder.
The body can break down in numerous ways leading to major illness including those which are terminal. Some of the most common ones are thyroid problems, certain types of cancer, heart disease and even chronic viral infections. When the mood is suppressed the immune system is weakened.
In Summary
Doctors can gauge an individual's recovery by noting both the bodily and psychological issues discussed during an appointment. As the mood lifts the body also feels better.
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