Physical Signs of Depression

[Dr. Adams]

Physical signs of depression can include sudden weight loss (or weight gain) of 5% or more, sleep problems such as early morning or frequent awakenings, restlessness, anxiety, problems with concentration or decision-making.

Some articles indicate that pain in some form is present in 75% of depressed individuals. This may include backache and headache.

Irritability, impatience and low frustration tolerance are other symptoms of which to be aware.

[Lawrence]

You have described my entire life to a "T"

I have had chronic headaches since I was around 8 years old.Usually have a headache 3-4 times a week. I can't ever get to sleep at night and I can't wake up in the morning.

I am extremely uncomfortable around people I don't know. I usually have a "safe person" I stick to in social situations.


My Uncle was extremely bipolar and commited suicide at a young age. My Grandmother, and Aunt suffer from extreme mental illness. I know I suffer from depression but have never been able to get my family to listen. Outwardly I always seem very level headed and exhibit common sense so nobody ever believed me. To them depression and mental illness was always marked by delusions and violent outbursts so to them I must be ok.

I had trouble all through school and barely got by. I have massive attention span preoblems. I cannot concentrate on something unlesss it absolutely intrigues me. I have always been a shy person and started to feel like an outsider at a very early age. Now I'm 30 and still feeel the same.

I had managed to get by until now but it's getting rough. I was reading a biography of the late singer Donny Hathaway. At the end when it mentioned his mental illness and his suicide I found myself thinking "what a relief" instead of "how horrible". I just pictured ending it and not having to go through this anymore as a relief. That got me a bit worried. I know that I won't do anything drastic now but the fact that I even let those thoughts seep into my head kinda pisses me off. What about 5-10 years from now?

It seems that life is just too much these days. I've fallen into a hole and really don't know where to start digging myself out. I'm lucky that I have a Wife that is very understanding and willing to put up with me right now. Hopefully insurancce will cover it :)

Thankfully I'm able to see humor in even the worst situations. It allows me temporary escapes here and there.

Wow, look at me I'm rambling :) I could type for hours about all of this but I'll stop here.

[scarlet]

Lawrence,
I hope things are looking up for you. Just wanted to let you know that someone out there read what you wrote and started tearing up at the fact that certain things you are feeling, I can relate to.

I've also had chronic headaches for as far back as I remember. While I used to be completely comfortable around people, I now nearly have a panic attack if I am left alone in public. On the outside, I appear to family and friends to be sensible and smart but on the inside, I'm trying to cry out for help. I've talked about it several times with a couple trusted friends but they don't think there is a problem. I have gone from being an A student from elementary through high school to not even caring about my college courses and slipping by with D's. I have an extremely hard time getting out of bed to go to work now and my insomnia has returned. I call in sick to work once a week (usually the beginning or middle of the week) at the mere thought of trying to get through the work week.

When you said, "It seems that life is just too much these days. I've fallen into a hole and really don't know where to start digging myself out," I felt that described my own feelings perfectly. I only just turned 25 years old. I shouldn't be feeling this way. Not after always wanting to hurry and be an adult.

I really hope you find the help you need and that I can find what it is I need.

[CrushedLikeABug]

Hi everyone! I'm new here! I never had the headaches when I was younger. I only get them since the last 2 years but when they come I could hit my head hard on the wall and the pain would still be inside my head. I have to cry myself to sleep on those nights. Ive been depressive ever since college. I kind of recognize myself in a few things that each you said. I used to say that I was depressive but not really wanting to admit it inside. Now I know it's true.
My father was a violent man, he hit my mom a lot and broke all her front teeth. I was still a baby I don't remember that. Later my mom divorced him and had to go to a psychiatric hospital. We she came out, she met another man, a good man, and married him. I lived with them while my mom abandonned my elder brother to her own mother. As I grew up, I used to get beaten often by my mom, and most of the time when my stepfather wasn't here. He never hit me. But when my mom did, it was like she was going crazy, like she wanted to kill me...later I thought it was my fault. So I started to feel like Ihad no place in this world, that it was my fault if she didn't love me and that I should die. Ever since those years and even thought I've grown up I still feel like that in a way. I've tried to kill myself a few times too but now I don't even want to die. I don't want anything. And that's why my life feels miserable. I don't know what I want anymore. I don't want anything I guess, no love, no life, I'm always on my own...I guess this never stops huh?

[Marvin]

Hello Dr. Adams,

It is very useful and informative thank you for the post on depression and I would like to add some more information on Depression. I have found this info while googling internet.

What does depression feel like?

“It was not really alarming at first, since the change was subtle, but I did notice that my surroundings took on a different tone at certain times: the shadows of nightfall seemed more somber, my mornings were less buoyant, walks in the woods became less zestful, and there was a moment during my working hours in the late afternoon when a kind of panic and anxiety overtook me…” - William Styron, Darkness Visible

Sometimes the Depression Self-Screening Test is just too clinical, and the symptoms don’t really “click” with you. Some of the criteria are general, and if you’re suffering from depression, specifics are easier to understand. I know that I might not have diagnosed myself with depression just on the basis of those symptoms. I had no change in appetite, and no sleep problems (waking up was what was difficult). Below are some un-clinical symptoms.

Things just seem “off” or “wrong.”

You don’t feel hopeful or happy about anything in your life.

You’re crying a lot, either at nothing, or something that normally would be insignificant.

You feel like you’re moving (and thinking) in slow motion.

Getting up in the morning requires a lot of effort.

Carrying on a normal conversation is a struggle. You can’t seem to express yourself.

You’re having trouble making simple decisions.

Your friends and family really irritate you.

You’re not sure if you still love your spouse/significant other.

Smiling feels stiff and awkward. It’s like your smiling muscles are frozen.

It seems like there’s a glass wall between you and the rest of the world.

You’re forgetful, and it’s very difficult to concentrate on anything.

You’re anxious and worried a lot.

Everything seems hopeless.

You feel like you can’t do anything right.

You have recurring thoughts of death and/or suicidal impulses. Suicide seems like a welcome relief.

You have a feeling of impending doom - you think something bad is going to happen, although you may not be sure what.
In your perception of the world around you, it’s always cloudy. Even on sunny days, it seems cloudy and gray.

You feel as though you’re drowning or suffocating.

You’re agitated, jumpy and and anxious much of the time.

Your senses seem dulled; food tastes bland and uninteresting, music doesn’t seem to affect you, you don’t bother smelling flowers anymore.
Incessantly and uncontrollably into your mind comes the memory of every failure, every bad or uncomfortable experience, interview or date, like a torrent of negativity.

Marvin.