Needless to say, how badly COVID-19 has affected the entire world for the last few months. Everyone is staying home and dealing with what time has brought to them. Maybe it is lesser talked about things, but the mental illnesses manifest as some physical ailments. That’s why they say, depression hurts.
We usually relate mental illness with emotional pain like feelings of being alone, hopelessness, tendency to live in isolation, and whatnot but some researches tell a different story altogether. That it can manifest as physical pain, as well.
So, here we are to discuss it in details:
1. Consistent low energy levels
Feeling lesser energetic or fatigue is considered as one of the most common symptoms of depression. We often don’t feel like doing anything and going to work, hopping on the couch, and binge watch TV instead.
We all know exhaustion causes stress and depression can also cause fatigue. Everyday fatigue can’t be that serious but depression-related fatigue can cause concentration problems, feelings of irritability, and apathy.
2. Everything hurts more
Sometimes it may happen, you feel pain but completely unaware of the cause. And this pain or not being able to identify the cause may lead to a fact, depression, and pain often co-exist.
3. Back pain or aching muscles
It’s all going good and you feel alright in the morning but once the day passes by and you get to start the work sitting on the desk, your back starts paining. This pain doesn’t let you do things with ease. It could be a sign of stress or depression.
4. Headache
Although, your headache is not always because of stress, especially if you’re dealing with a hectic lifestyle and working amidst nuisance. But if you observe, it’s happening very often, it could be a sign of depression.
However, it’s not necessary it is the only symptom of depression. People with depression often experience so many other symptoms like sadness, feelings of irritability, and decreased energy.
5. Decreased vision
A 2010 research study in Germany found mental health may actually affect one’s eyesight.
In that study of 80 people, people with depression had difficulty in differentiating in black and white.
6. Stomach pain
“According to those Harvard researchers, depression can cause (or be a result of) an inflamed digestive system, with pain that’s easily mistaken for illnesses like inflammatory bowel disease or irritable bowel syndrome.”
7. Digestive problems
Constipation and diarrhea are some digestive problems that are often caused by food poisoning or gastrointestinal viruses. But a few emotions like sadness, anxiety, and overwhelming over something can badly affect our digestive tracks. A 2011 study has also proven that there is a link between anxiety, depression, and gastrointestinal pain.
