Surprisingly, mental and physical health are closely linked. While the emotional effects of depression are widely known, the impact on physical health is also profound. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention disclosed that about 4.7% of American adults aged 18 and above develop regular feelings of depression. In addition, over 48,000 suicide deaths have emerged from depression. While depression is mentally linked, it can affect the body in ways that could surprise you.
You must understand that the effects of depression go beyond the mental state. This article delves into how depression can impact physical health and the complex relationship between them.
Depression and Its Toll on Physical Health
Depression is a complicated mental illness characterized by unhappiness or low morale, lasting over several weeks. A depressed individual may live in isolation or inflict injuries upon themselves. In worse cases, they may commit suicide. Depression can reduce your quality of life, and without medical help, a more complex condition could ensue.
Depression is associated with the mental state, but do you know how depression can impact physical health? The body and mind are entangled, where changes in one affect the other. Typically, when depression sets in, it follows with symptoms like persistent sadness and hopelessness. However, these symptoms can trigger other body symptoms like changes in appetite and insomnia. These physical symptoms also indicate that something is amiss with you.
The stress hormone is the link between depression and physical health. The distinguishing characteristic of depression is chronic emotional stress, which forces the body to produce excess cortisol (the stress hormone). In excess circulation, this hormone leads to inflammation, gradually weakening the body’s defenses. Diabetes and cancer could emerge from this.
Also, the body may be fatigued under physical stress. This reduces your physical activity, contributing to weight gain and loss in muscle mass. That’s not all! Reduced physical activity induces oversleeping. Sleep is the body’s natural response to reload itself after a tiring day, but when it’s jeopardized, the repercussions are profound. Soon, you begin to have lowered confidence and worse depressive symptoms. This adds to a weakened immune system and heightened chances of getting ill.
To brush up, the physical symptoms of depression include;
● Weight gain/loss (the individual gains weight if they overfeed and don’t engage in any physical activity; they lose weight if they underfeed. This results from appetite changes).
● Chronic aches in the joints and muscles
● Heart diseases, such as high blood pressure and abnormal heartbeat
● Inflammation, such as type-2 diabetes
● Decreased libido
● Sleep deprivation
● Digestive issues, such as diarrhea and constipation
Breaking the Vicious Cycle of Depression
Having understood how depression can impact physical health, how can you break free from it? The first step is recognizing the connection that this article has provided. The second and most vital step is to seek medical help. The good news is depression can be treated, and medical research offers new ways to deal with the condition. For now, the methods commonly used are medications and therapy. Medical experts may use each single handedly or combine antidepressant medications and therapy to address depressive symptoms and restore the body’s vigor. It varies according to the intensity of the depression.
Even with therapy and medications, the medical professional may add physical activities to your treatment plan to keep the body in shape, improve blood flow, and maintain chemical circulation. Exercise can lessen depressive symptoms and improve a person’s overall well-being. The good part is It doesn’t have to be rigorous exercises; Brisk walking or stretches can make a massive difference. Discuss with your medical provider for the most suitable treatment method.
SOBA New Jersey Can Help Reduce the Physical Impact of Depression
Depression is a multi-faceted illness that can affect your physical and emotional well-being. They are interwoven with overlapping symptoms. This makes it a complex condition that can’t be pushed aside. As mentioned, asking for help is the way through. We understand that you may be perplexed about where to get treatment, especially if you’re in New Jersey. You don’t need to worry because SOBA, New Jersey, is here.
As a renowned Drug & Alcohol Rehab Center, we treat mental health conditions and substance addiction. We help patients to get back on their feet through our holistic and individualized techniques. Contact us at 8882297989 or visit our corporate office at 30 Two Bridges Road, Suite 380, Fairfield, NJ 07004. You can also reach out for more information on how depression affects health.
You too can share your success story about recovering from depression.
