While depression is considered a mental health disorder, it can also impact the entire body physically and emotionally. Many people suffering from depression may not be aware of the physical implications their depression can have on their bodies. From chronic pain to fatigue, depression can wear down the body, making it difficult to function. We’re going to take a closer look at how depression impacts physical health and how Scottsdale treatment centers for depression can help patients better manage their depression and improve their physical health.
How Depression Impacts Physical Health
Depression can develop when someone experiences sadness or grief for an extended amount of time, typically two weeks or longer.[1] When depression settles in, so can the impact on a person’s physical health.
These effects include:
Fatigue
Fatigue is one of the most common physical effects of depression. When someone is experiencing fatigue, it can lead to a lack of energy, as well as feelings of apathy and difficulty concentrating.[1]
Chronic Pain
Research shows that up to 60% of patients with chronic pain also have depression.[2] Chronic pain due to depression can include back pain, headaches, migraines, and arthritis. When people experience chronic pain, they may not be able to enjoy things like they used to, which can worsen depression symptoms. This is one of the reasons why it is so important to seek help for depression.
Weakened Immune System
Depression can hurt the immune system, producing an inflammatory response.[3] When people are experiencing chronic anxiety or depression, it can continually activate the body’s response to stress. This means all efforts are put towards dealing with the stress, not protecting the body against infection. This can lead to a weakened immune system. Research also shows that people suffering from depression are more likely to have autoimmune disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome and type 2 diabetes.[4]
Obesity and Weight Gain
People who are depressed are at a greater risk of gaining weight and becoming obese.[5] When you are depressed, you experience low energy and motivation, which can result in less exercise. This can lead to obesity. When someone becomes obese, they increase their risk of developing high blood pressure, coronary artery disease, and type 2 diabetes.
Weight Loss
On the opposite side of the coin, depression can also lead to weight loss. When someone is depressed, they may not want to eat, leading to unintentional weight loss. When a person loses too much weight, it can impact their heart, affect fertility, and cause fatigue.
Insomnia and Sleep Problems
Studies show that 75% of people with depression also have trouble sleeping.[6] Insomnia can have a serious impact on daily functions, making it difficult to go to work, take care of home chores, and care for children. Sleepiness can be dangerous when it comes to driving and handling machinery. Inadequate sleep can also lead to irritability and fatigue, negatively impacting physical health. It can make you less likely to want to be physically active, leading to weight gain and obesity.
How to Improve Mental and Physical Well-Being
It is clear that depression and physical health have a strong relationship. Improving the mental aspect, such as treating depression, can have a positive effect on your physical well-being. These are some of the ways to improve mental and physical well-being:
Attend Therapy Sessions
Therapy is one method that can help treat depression. Individual and group therapy sessions can help people understand the behaviors, emotions, and ideas that have led to their depression. It provides them with coping mechanisms to regain a sense of control and once again live a happy life.
Meditate
Meditating can also help to improve mental and physical well-being. When you meditate, you can train your brain to focus and return to that focus when you begin to think negatively. Meditation is also known to work on regions of the brain that depression affects, such as the prefrontal cortex and the amygdala.[7] When you meditate, you can override the things that stimulate this part of the brain, causing stress levels to fall and your body to relax. While meditation may not be able to erase all feelings of depression, it can help to keep them under control.
Exercise
Exercise can help people with mental health conditions, such as depression, because it releases feel-good endorphins. Endorphins are natural chemicals in the brain that can improve well-being. So, the more you exercise, the more endorphins you release, and the better you feel. When you exercise, you shift the focus to an activity rather than your negative thoughts that fuel depression.
As you exercise, you are also helping your physical well-being by working to prevent obesity and the negative impact it can have on your physical health.
Practice Gratitude
By practicing gratitude and being thankful for the good things in your life, you are shifting your focus from negative to positive. This can help improve your mental health as you begin to see your life differently and realize the positive moments and factors in it.
By seeking treatment for depression and trying these different coping techniques, you can learn how to overcome your depression, improve your physical health, and lead a productive and happy life.
Are You Looking for Scottsdale Treatment Centers for Depression? Contact Healing Foundations Center
Healing Foundations Center is committed to helping people face and deal with their depression. We provide a variety of treatment options that are tailored to each patient. When patients enter a treatment program, we will get to know them to better understand their condition and develop a plan that will work best for them. We offer an intensive outpatient program that includes the tools patients need to treat their depression.
If you are looking for Scottsdale Treatment Centers for Depression, contact the team at Healing Foundations Center today to learn more.
Sources:
[1] https://share.upmc.com/2020/10/fatigue-and-depression/https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychiatry/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2021.643609/full
[2] https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/322395#physical-symptoms
[3] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5338810/
[4] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8304982/
[5] https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/depression-and-sleep-understanding-the-connection
[6] https://www.webmd.com/depression/what-to-know-about-meditation-and-depression
[7] https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/depression/in-depth/depression-and-exercise/art-20046495