It is alright to feel sad or anxious at times in your life, but if these feelings linger for more than two weeks, it could be a sign of depression. Although depression is a mental disorder, the effects it has on an individual’s body cannot be ignored. A person diagnosed with depression may experience physical pain, fatigue, heart problems, and other serious issues. Research has revealed how depression can affect your body.

Weight changes

Depression can make people binge eat or experience a significant loss of appetite. The contributing factor to weight gain can be emotional eating, in which the person eats food subconsciously, thinking that it may subside the feeling of depression. On the other hand, a person in a depressive state may lose interest in eating much, and have less motivation to prepare meals, leading to weight loss.

Persistent physical pain

People in depressive states tend to experience unexplained pains or aches on their back, joints, and limbs. It may also cause a headache and breast tenderness. Some people can even feel full-body pain, which can be chronic and extremely weakening. Plus, chronic pain can make symptoms of depression worse.

Gastrointestinal problems

It’s common for people with depression to go through bouts of stomach or digestion problems, such as constipation, vomiting, nausea, or diarrhea. In some cases, people may also experience chronic conditions, like irritable bowel syndrome.

Insomnia

Insomnia or trouble falling asleep or staying asleep is quite common among people who are depressed. The lack of sleep makes people feel exhausted and invites a variety of health problems. Researches have shown that long-term sleeping problems can cause diabetes, weight problems, high blood pressure, and even some types of cancer.

Deteriorating chronic illnesses

People with depression have often reported about their chronic health condition worsening over time. Chronic diseases are stressful as it is, and depression plays a part in intensifying these feelings. People with depression may have a hard time following treatment procedures of their chronic conditions, making them more serious.

Fatigue

People who are depressed feel endlessly tired even after sleeping for long hours. Getting out of bed every morning is a big challenge for them, and they even struggle to do daily activities like bathing, cooking, and other chores. One can relate fatigue with lack of sleep, but research has revealed that no matter how much a person with depression sleeps, they may still feel tired throughout the day.

High blood pressure and heart conditions

A depressed person is mostly under stress, and this stressful feeling can last for a long time. Chronic stress has long been known to be a contributing factor to hypertension or high blood pressure. Furthermore, high blood pressure increases the chances of developing cardiovascular disease, including heart attacks and strokes. Researchers have claimed depression to be one of the risk factors for heart diseases.