How Can Depression Affect Your Health?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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A study found that positive psychological well-being can reduce the risks of heart attacks and strokes. On the other hand, poor mental health can lead to poor physical health or harmful behaviors . Chronic diseases. Depression has been linked to many chronic illnesses.

What are the 5 effects of depression?

Depression doesn’t just affect the mind; it also affects the body. Some of the physical effects include erratic sleep habits, loss of appetite (or increased appetite with atypical depression), constant fatigue, muscle aches, headaches, and back pain .

Does depression affect physically?

Although depression is a mental illness, it can also cause physical symptoms . Pain, stomach upset, fatigue, and restlessness are just a few potential physical effects of depression.

How does depression affect the brain and body?

As depression starts to affect the brain’s chemical balances, neurons in the hippocampus shrink, which can cause difficulty concentrating and memory loss . A shrunken hippocampus can also make completing familiar tasks difficult, which can lead to hopelessness, guilt, and anxiety.

How does depression affect your thinking?

It can impair your attention and memory, as well as your information processing and decision-making skills . It can also lower your cognitive flexibility (the ability to adapt your goals and strategies to changing situations) and executive functioning (the ability to take all the steps to get something done).

What are 5 emotional signs of stress?

  • Heaviness in your chest, increased heart rate or chest pain.
  • Shoulder, neck or back pain; general body aches and pains.
  • Headaches.
  • Grinding your teeth or clenching your jaw.
  • Shortness of breath.
  • Dizziness.
  • Feeling tired, anxious, depressed.

What are the 5 signs of mental illness?

  • Excessive paranoia, worry, or anxiety.
  • Long-lasting sadness or irritability.
  • Extreme changes in moods.
  • Social withdrawal.
  • Dramatic changes in eating or sleeping pattern.

How does mental health affect everyday life?

Mental health includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel, and act . It also helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make choices. Mental health is important at every stage of life, from childhood and adolescence through adulthood.

Does depression change your face?

Long-term depression has disastrous effects on skin , because the chemicals associated with the condition can prevent your body from repairing inflammation in cells. “These hormones affect sleep, which will show on our faces in the form of baggy, puffy eyes and a dull or lifeless complexion,” says Dr. Wechsler.

What exactly happens in depression?

Depression is a serious mental illness that can interfere with a person’s life. It can cause long-lasting and severe feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and a loss of interest in activities . It can also cause physical symptoms of pain, appetite changes, and sleep problems.

Can being depressed make you feel sick?

This mood disorder causes a number of emotional symptoms, including persistent feelings of sadness and a loss of interest in things once enjoyed. Depression can also cause physical symptoms. Depression can make you feel sick and cause symptoms like exhaustion, headaches, and aches and pains.

Does depression damage your brain?

Depression Can Cause Inflammation in the Brain

Untreated depression can also inflame the brain . Not everyone who has depression experiences brain inflammation, but if you do, it can lead to severe symptoms like: Confusion, agitation, hallucinations.

Can the brain repair itself after depression?

A depressed person’s brain does not function normally, but it can recover , according to a study published in the August 11 issue of Neurology, the American Academy of Neurology’s scientific journal. Researchers measured the brain’s responsiveness using magnetic stimulation over the brain and targeted muscle movement.

Does depression affect memory?

Research shows that there is a link between depression and memory issues, including confusion and forgetfulness . Symptoms of depression also make it challenging to focus and make good decisions.

Can stress make you ill?

But can you actually get sick from stress? The short answer is yes. Stress sickness can contribute to many health issues, including: Anxiety.

Why am I always stressed for no reason?

Anxiety can be caused by a variety of things: stress, genetics, brain chemistry, traumatic events, or environmental factors . Symptoms can be reduced with anti-anxiety medication. But even with medication, people may still experience some anxiety or even panic attacks.

How does stress affect the female body?

Common symptoms of stress in women include: Physical. Headaches, difficulty sleeping, tiredness, pain (most commonly in the back and neck), overeating/under eating, skin problems, drug and alcohol misuse, lack of energy, upset stomach, less interest in sex/other things you used to enjoy.

What is a mental breakdown?

A nervous breakdown (also called a mental breakdown) is a term that describes a period of extreme mental or emotional stress . The stress is so great that the person is unable to perform normal day-to-day activities. The term “nervous breakdown” isn’t a clinical one. Nor is it a mental health disorder.

How do I know if I am mentally ill?

Extreme mood changes of highs and lows . Withdrawal from friends and activities. Significant tiredness, low energy or problems sleeping. Detachment from reality (delusions), paranoia or hallucinations.

At what age does mental illness start?

Fifty percent of mental illness begins by age 14, and three-quarters begins by age 24 .

Carlos Perez
Author
Carlos Perez
Carlos Perez is an education expert and teacher with over 20 years of experience working with youth. He holds a degree in education and has taught in both public and private schools, as well as in community-based organizations. Carlos is passionate about empowering young people and helping them reach their full potential through education and mentorship.