Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhat Is Depression?Physical SymptomsDiagnosisWhen to See a ProviderTreatment
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
What Is Depression?
Physical Symptoms
Diagnosis
When to See a Provider
Treatment
Depressionis a mental health condition that causes sadness and low mood. We associate symptoms such as feeling down and losing interest in activities with depression, but depression can come with a host of physical symptoms as well.
This article will discuss how depression can make you feel sick with symptoms like fatigue, pain, digestive issues, sleep disturbances, and more. It also covers when to see a healthcare provider and how treatment can help even the most severe symptoms.
Depression is a mental health condition that affects how well a person can function in daily life. Biochemistry, genetics, personality, and environmental factors are believed to play a role in its development.
People withmajor depressive disorderexperience symptoms that greatly affect their previous level of functioning and last at least two weeks. Many of the symptoms are psychological, including persistent feelings of sadness, irritability, a lack of motivation, trouble concentrating, and a loss of enjoyment. But depression can also have physical symptoms such as fatigue, sleep difficulties, and gastrointestinal problems.
How Signs of Depression Feel and Look
Physical Symptoms of Depression
Depression is associated with a wide array of physical symptoms.
Fatigue or Low Energy
Fatigueis a very common symptom of major depressive disorder, affecting over 90% of people with the condition.
Fatigue can be divided into three subcategories:
These feelings of exhaustion may be related to:
Fatigue can also be a side effect of some medications used to treat depression, such as tricyclic antidepressants, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs).
What to Know About SSRIs vs. SNRIs
Pain
Unexplained aches and pains, includingheadaches,back pain, joint pain, and muscle pain, commonly occur with depression. These pains can range from mild to severe enough to impact a person’s functioning. The connection is thought to occur because depression and pain share the same nerve pathways and brain chemicals.
Some studies have shown that the worse the physical pain symptoms, the more severe the depression is.
A small study of 54 people, completed in 2015, found that people with major depressive disorder had a lower pain threshold and pain tolerance than their healthy counterparts.
A larger 2017 study suggests that people experiencing depression are approximately 60% more likely to develop back pain in their lifetime than those who do not experience depression. In addition to depression increasing the likelihood of back pain, persistent low back pain was also shown to increase the risk of developing depressive symptoms.
Sleep Difficulties
About 90% of people with depression report some sleep issues.Depression can causesleep disturbancessuch as:
Sleep studies of people with depression have revealed disturbances throughout the sleep cycle.The lack of good quality sleep can impact other depression symptoms such as difficulty concentrating and pain.
Gastrointestinal Symptoms
Depression can cause digestive issues, such as:
The brain has a direct connection to the gastrointestinal tract, making the stomach and intestines sensitive to emotion. The digestive tract can also send signals to the brain. A stomachache may contribute to or be the result of depression,anxiety, orstress.
Cardiovascular Effects
Studies have shown that depression can increase the risk of cardiovascular disease, particularly for those who experience more severe depression symptoms.
Psychomotor Symptoms
A majority of people with depression experience a slowdown in cognitive and motor processing.Studies have found that people with depression display motor symptoms such as slower walking, reduced range of motion, and body swaying.
Slowed psychomotor activity can affect:
Changes in Appetite
Depression can cause appetite changes and weight loss or weight gain. Depression symptoms such as exhaustion can make meal planning and cooking more difficult. This may make it harder to maintain a nutritious diet.
Depression is also associated with changes to the hormonecortisol, which can affect stress levels. This may lead to “emotional eating,” in which a person eats in response to negative emotions. The foods people turn to when emotionally eating tend to be enjoyable but high in sugars and fats and low in nutrients, such as candy and chocolate.
Reduced Sex Drive
While most people experience fluctuations in sex drive, some people with depression lose their desire for sex completely. This can be due to the lack of energy seen in depression, or the lack of desire to engage in activities a person once enjoyed.
Sexual dysfunction can be difficult or embarrassing to discuss, but if you are experiencing a severe decrease in sex drive that is affecting you or a partner, talk about it with your healthcare provider.
Psychological Symptoms of DepressionSome psychological symptoms of depression include:Persistent low mood or sadnessFeelings of helplessness, guilt, and/or hopelessnessIrritabilityFeeling “teary” or cryingLack of motivationDisinterest or lack of enjoyment in thingsDifficulty making decisionsThoughts ofsuicideorself-harm
Psychological Symptoms of Depression
Some psychological symptoms of depression include:Persistent low mood or sadnessFeelings of helplessness, guilt, and/or hopelessnessIrritabilityFeeling “teary” or cryingLack of motivationDisinterest or lack of enjoyment in thingsDifficulty making decisionsThoughts ofsuicideorself-harm
Some psychological symptoms of depression include:
How Are the Physical Symptoms of Depression Diagnosed?
If a physical cause is ruled out, your provider will ask about your general health and family history, physical and mental symptoms, and other information that can help them make a diagnosis.
If depression is diagnosed, your healthcare provider will discuss ways in which to manage symptoms, including physical ones.
What Comes First?
When to See a Healthcare Provider
If you experience symptoms of depression—whether psychological, physical, or both—schedule an appointment with your healthcare provider.
Getting a proper diagnosis is the first step in managing depression. From there, you can work with a healthcare provider or mental health professional to find a treatment plan suited to your needs.
Help Is AvailableIf you or someone you know are having suicidal thoughts, dial988to contact the988 Suicide & Crisis Lifelineand connect with a trained counselor. If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call911.
Help Is Available
If you or someone you know are having suicidal thoughts, dial988to contact the988 Suicide & Crisis Lifelineand connect with a trained counselor. If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call911.
How Depression Is Treated
A healthcare provider will work with you on a treatment plan suited to your needs. You may be recommended psychotherapy, medication, or both.
Depression treatment is highly personal, and it’s normal to test different approaches and medications—try not to get discouraged if your symptoms don’t get better right away. Fortunately, there are many therapeutic options available, even for the most severe cases. If you feel like your symptoms aren’t improving enough, you may have the option of brain stimulation therapy further into your treatment.
Here’s what your healthcare provider may recommend.
Medications
Antidepressants come in many types and your healthcare provider will carefully consider your full health and family history to select the right prescription. Medications typically improve your mood symptoms within four to eight weeks and are prescribed for six to 12 months, though some people take them for much longer.
Antidepressants are typically well-tolerated. You may experience mild side effects like nausea and sleepiness, but these can get better over time.Make sure to speak to a healthcare provider before stopping the medication due to side effects—stopping suddenly can cause additional symptoms.
Psychotherapy
You can learn important behavioral and cognitive skills in talk therapy, and there are many approaches.For example, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a common approach that helps you become more aware of your thoughts and address harmful thinking patterns.Other types of talk therapy can also help you gain awareness and develop healthy habits.
Summary
19 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Psychiatric Association.What is depression?.National Health Service.Symptoms - depression in adults.Ghanean H, Ceniti AK, Kennedy SH.Fatigue in patients with major depressive disorder: prevalence, burden and pharmacological approaches to management.CNS Drugs. 2018;32(1):65-74. doi:10.1007/s40263-018-0490-zTargum SD, Fava M.Fatigue as a residual symptom of depression.Innov Clin Neurosci. 2011;8(10):40-43.Marsala SZ, Pistacchi M, Tocco P, et al.Pain perception in major depressive disorder: A neurophysiological case–control study.Journal of the Neurological Sciences. 2015;357(1):19-21. doi:10.1016/j.jns.2015.06.051Robertson D, Kumbhare D, Nolet P, Srbely J, Newton G.Associations between low back pain and depression and somatization in a Canadian emerging adult population.J Can Chiropr Assoc. 2017;61(2):96-105.Fang H, Tu S, Sheng J, Shao A.Depression in sleep disturbance: A review on a bidirectional relationship, mechanisms and treatment.J Cell Mol Med. 2019;23(4):2324-2332. doi:10.1111/jcmm.14170Riemann D, Krone LB, Wulff K, Nissen C.Sleep, insomnia, and depression.Neuropsychopharmacology. 2020;45(1):74-89. doi:10.1038/s41386-019-0411-yHarvard Health.The gut-brain connection.Seldenrijk A, Vogelzangs N, Batelaan NM, Wieman I, van Schaik DJF, Penninx BJWH.Depression, anxiety and 6-year risk of cardiovascular disease.Journal of Psychosomatic Research. 2015;78(2):123-129. doi:10.1016/j.jpsychores.2014.10.007Penninx BWJH.Depression and cardiovascular disease: Epidemiological evidence on their linking mechanisms.Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews. 2017;74:277-286. doi:10.1016/j.neubiorev.2016.07.003Janzing JGE, Birkenhäger TK, van den Broek WW, Breteler LMT, Nolen WA, Verkes RJ.Psychomotor retardation and the prognosis of antidepressant treatment in patients with unipolar psychotic depression.J Psychiatr Res. 2020;130:321-326. doi:10.1016/j.jpsychires.2020.07.020Bogdanova D.Gait disorders in unipolar and bipolar depression.Heliyon. 2023;9(5):e15864-e15864. doi:10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e15864Konttinen H, van Strien T, Männistö S, Jousilahti P, Haukkala A.Depression, emotional eating and long-term weight changes: A population-based prospective study.Int J Behav Nutr Phys Act. 2019;16(1):28. doi:10.1186/s12966-019-0791-8Johns Hopkins Medicine.Low sex drive - could it be a sign of depression?.National Health Service.Diagnosis - depression in asults.National Institute of Mental Health.Depression.MedlinePlus.Antidepressants.National Institutes of Mental Health.Psychotherapies.
19 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Psychiatric Association.What is depression?.National Health Service.Symptoms - depression in adults.Ghanean H, Ceniti AK, Kennedy SH.Fatigue in patients with major depressive disorder: prevalence, burden and pharmacological approaches to management.CNS Drugs. 2018;32(1):65-74. doi:10.1007/s40263-018-0490-zTargum SD, Fava M.Fatigue as a residual symptom of depression.Innov Clin Neurosci. 2011;8(10):40-43.Marsala SZ, Pistacchi M, Tocco P, et al.Pain perception in major depressive disorder: A neurophysiological case–control study.Journal of the Neurological Sciences. 2015;357(1):19-21. doi:10.1016/j.jns.2015.06.051Robertson D, Kumbhare D, Nolet P, Srbely J, Newton G.Associations between low back pain and depression and somatization in a Canadian emerging adult population.J Can Chiropr Assoc. 2017;61(2):96-105.Fang H, Tu S, Sheng J, Shao A.Depression in sleep disturbance: A review on a bidirectional relationship, mechanisms and treatment.J Cell Mol Med. 2019;23(4):2324-2332. doi:10.1111/jcmm.14170Riemann D, Krone LB, Wulff K, Nissen C.Sleep, insomnia, and depression.Neuropsychopharmacology. 2020;45(1):74-89. doi:10.1038/s41386-019-0411-yHarvard Health.The gut-brain connection.Seldenrijk A, Vogelzangs N, Batelaan NM, Wieman I, van Schaik DJF, Penninx BJWH.Depression, anxiety and 6-year risk of cardiovascular disease.Journal of Psychosomatic Research. 2015;78(2):123-129. doi:10.1016/j.jpsychores.2014.10.007Penninx BWJH.Depression and cardiovascular disease: Epidemiological evidence on their linking mechanisms.Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews. 2017;74:277-286. doi:10.1016/j.neubiorev.2016.07.003Janzing JGE, Birkenhäger TK, van den Broek WW, Breteler LMT, Nolen WA, Verkes RJ.Psychomotor retardation and the prognosis of antidepressant treatment in patients with unipolar psychotic depression.J Psychiatr Res. 2020;130:321-326. doi:10.1016/j.jpsychires.2020.07.020Bogdanova D.Gait disorders in unipolar and bipolar depression.Heliyon. 2023;9(5):e15864-e15864. doi:10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e15864Konttinen H, van Strien T, Männistö S, Jousilahti P, Haukkala A.Depression, emotional eating and long-term weight changes: A population-based prospective study.Int J Behav Nutr Phys Act. 2019;16(1):28. doi:10.1186/s12966-019-0791-8Johns Hopkins Medicine.Low sex drive - could it be a sign of depression?.National Health Service.Diagnosis - depression in asults.National Institute of Mental Health.Depression.MedlinePlus.Antidepressants.National Institutes of Mental Health.Psychotherapies.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
American Psychiatric Association.What is depression?.National Health Service.Symptoms - depression in adults.Ghanean H, Ceniti AK, Kennedy SH.Fatigue in patients with major depressive disorder: prevalence, burden and pharmacological approaches to management.CNS Drugs. 2018;32(1):65-74. doi:10.1007/s40263-018-0490-zTargum SD, Fava M.Fatigue as a residual symptom of depression.Innov Clin Neurosci. 2011;8(10):40-43.Marsala SZ, Pistacchi M, Tocco P, et al.Pain perception in major depressive disorder: A neurophysiological case–control study.Journal of the Neurological Sciences. 2015;357(1):19-21. doi:10.1016/j.jns.2015.06.051Robertson D, Kumbhare D, Nolet P, Srbely J, Newton G.Associations between low back pain and depression and somatization in a Canadian emerging adult population.J Can Chiropr Assoc. 2017;61(2):96-105.Fang H, Tu S, Sheng J, Shao A.Depression in sleep disturbance: A review on a bidirectional relationship, mechanisms and treatment.J Cell Mol Med. 2019;23(4):2324-2332. doi:10.1111/jcmm.14170Riemann D, Krone LB, Wulff K, Nissen C.Sleep, insomnia, and depression.Neuropsychopharmacology. 2020;45(1):74-89. doi:10.1038/s41386-019-0411-yHarvard Health.The gut-brain connection.Seldenrijk A, Vogelzangs N, Batelaan NM, Wieman I, van Schaik DJF, Penninx BJWH.Depression, anxiety and 6-year risk of cardiovascular disease.Journal of Psychosomatic Research. 2015;78(2):123-129. doi:10.1016/j.jpsychores.2014.10.007Penninx BWJH.Depression and cardiovascular disease: Epidemiological evidence on their linking mechanisms.Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews. 2017;74:277-286. doi:10.1016/j.neubiorev.2016.07.003Janzing JGE, Birkenhäger TK, van den Broek WW, Breteler LMT, Nolen WA, Verkes RJ.Psychomotor retardation and the prognosis of antidepressant treatment in patients with unipolar psychotic depression.J Psychiatr Res. 2020;130:321-326. doi:10.1016/j.jpsychires.2020.07.020Bogdanova D.Gait disorders in unipolar and bipolar depression.Heliyon. 2023;9(5):e15864-e15864. doi:10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e15864Konttinen H, van Strien T, Männistö S, Jousilahti P, Haukkala A.Depression, emotional eating and long-term weight changes: A population-based prospective study.Int J Behav Nutr Phys Act. 2019;16(1):28. doi:10.1186/s12966-019-0791-8Johns Hopkins Medicine.Low sex drive - could it be a sign of depression?.National Health Service.Diagnosis - depression in asults.National Institute of Mental Health.Depression.MedlinePlus.Antidepressants.National Institutes of Mental Health.Psychotherapies.
American Psychiatric Association.What is depression?.
National Health Service.Symptoms - depression in adults.
Ghanean H, Ceniti AK, Kennedy SH.Fatigue in patients with major depressive disorder: prevalence, burden and pharmacological approaches to management.CNS Drugs. 2018;32(1):65-74. doi:10.1007/s40263-018-0490-z
Targum SD, Fava M.Fatigue as a residual symptom of depression.Innov Clin Neurosci. 2011;8(10):40-43.
Marsala SZ, Pistacchi M, Tocco P, et al.Pain perception in major depressive disorder: A neurophysiological case–control study.Journal of the Neurological Sciences. 2015;357(1):19-21. doi:10.1016/j.jns.2015.06.051
Robertson D, Kumbhare D, Nolet P, Srbely J, Newton G.Associations between low back pain and depression and somatization in a Canadian emerging adult population.J Can Chiropr Assoc. 2017;61(2):96-105.
Fang H, Tu S, Sheng J, Shao A.Depression in sleep disturbance: A review on a bidirectional relationship, mechanisms and treatment.J Cell Mol Med. 2019;23(4):2324-2332. doi:10.1111/jcmm.14170
Riemann D, Krone LB, Wulff K, Nissen C.Sleep, insomnia, and depression.Neuropsychopharmacology. 2020;45(1):74-89. doi:10.1038/s41386-019-0411-y
Harvard Health.The gut-brain connection.
Seldenrijk A, Vogelzangs N, Batelaan NM, Wieman I, van Schaik DJF, Penninx BJWH.Depression, anxiety and 6-year risk of cardiovascular disease.Journal of Psychosomatic Research. 2015;78(2):123-129. doi:10.1016/j.jpsychores.2014.10.007
Penninx BWJH.Depression and cardiovascular disease: Epidemiological evidence on their linking mechanisms.Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews. 2017;74:277-286. doi:10.1016/j.neubiorev.2016.07.003
Janzing JGE, Birkenhäger TK, van den Broek WW, Breteler LMT, Nolen WA, Verkes RJ.Psychomotor retardation and the prognosis of antidepressant treatment in patients with unipolar psychotic depression.J Psychiatr Res. 2020;130:321-326. doi:10.1016/j.jpsychires.2020.07.020
Bogdanova D.Gait disorders in unipolar and bipolar depression.Heliyon. 2023;9(5):e15864-e15864. doi:10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e15864
Konttinen H, van Strien T, Männistö S, Jousilahti P, Haukkala A.Depression, emotional eating and long-term weight changes: A population-based prospective study.Int J Behav Nutr Phys Act. 2019;16(1):28. doi:10.1186/s12966-019-0791-8
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Low sex drive - could it be a sign of depression?.
National Health Service.Diagnosis - depression in asults.
National Institute of Mental Health.Depression.
MedlinePlus.Antidepressants.
National Institutes of Mental Health.Psychotherapies.
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