When most people think of depression, they picture emotional struggles like sadness, hopelessness, or lack of motivation. But depression doesn’t just affect your mind; it impacts your entire body.
In honor of Depression Awareness Month, which is observed every October, Dr. Hadi Estakhri explains the physical effects of depression so you can recognize the full picture of this condition and get the right kind of care with our Allied Psychiatry & Mental Health team in Newport Beach, California.
Your mind and body are deeply connected. When you live with depression, your brain chemicals, stress response, and even your immune system can shift. This imbalance can lead to real, measurable physical symptoms.
If you’ve been dealing with depression, you may notice physical signs such as:
These symptoms aren’t in your head. They’re your body’s way of responding to the mental strain of depression.
Depression no doubt causes physical symptoms, but its effects don’t stop there. Left untreated, depression can raise your risk of developing chronic health issues.
Studies show a strong link between depression and conditions like heart disease. People with depression, for example, are up to 40% more likely to develop coronary artery disease than those without depression.
Depression can increase your risk of gaining weight. If you’re eating more, sleeping more, and lacking motivation to exercise, weight gain is more likely. This can contribute to obesity-related conditions such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease.
Depression can lead to chronic pain. For example, people with depression are more likely to develop fibromyalgia later in life. Chronic pain can also arise because of changes in brain chemistry, heightened sensitivity to pain signals, and increased muscle tension caused by stress.
People with depression are also more likely to have weaker immune function, which makes it harder for their bodies to fight off illness and recover from stress. Why? Lack of quality sleep and poor eating habits can take a toll on your immune system.
Just one night of poor sleep can negatively impact your gut function — your gut houses the majority of your immune system — so it’s not surprising that chronic sleep deprivation can weaken your immune system.
The bottom line is that the depression-physical health cycle can be difficult: poor physical health can worsen depression, and depression can make it harder to manage your physical health.
If you’ve noticed both emotional and physical symptoms that don’t improve, it’s time to seek support. Treating depression can not only lift your mood but also restore your physical health and energy.
Depression isn’t a personal weakness; it’s a medical condition. And with the right treatment, you can break the cycle of physical and emotional symptoms.
Dr. Estakhri provides compassionate, evidence-based care for depression that addresses your whole person — mind and body. He may recommend medication, lifestyle changes, and therapy. In the case of treatment-resistant depression, he might recommend ketamine therapy.
If you’re battling the physical and emotional symptoms of depression, get help today. You can call our Allied Psychiatry and Mental Health team at 949-945-0927. You can also book an appointment online.
