How Depression Affects Your Overall Health

Feeling sad occasionally is normal, but when that feeling takes over your life, it’s a sign of depression. Many people think depression only affects mental health, but that's false. Depression affects various aspects of your physical and emotional health as well.

Depression is a mental health problem affecting one in six people, according to the American Psychiatric Association. It's a common disorder, but it's also hazardous without proper treatment.

Dr. Lori Scott understands the hurt and symptoms associated with major depressive disorder. She provides compassionate care and personalized treatments to help you get a hold of depression and improve your overall health and wellness.

Understanding depression

Depression is a severe condition that significantly affects mental health. Doctors consider depression a type of mood disorder that causes significant feelings of sadness, loss of interest, and hopelessness.

Depression is a clinical problem that doesn't simply go away without treatment. It often requires long-term treatment to reduce symptoms and improve quality of life.

In severe cases, depression may make someone feel like life isn't worth living. Suicide is a real risk that people living with severe depression may consider when they think there's no way out.

How depression affects your physical health

As depression sets in, it takes over more than your thoughts and mental health. You may begin to notice physical symptoms as well, such as:

Gastrointestinal symptoms

People with depression often struggle with stomach issues like vomiting, persistent nausea, diarrhea, and constipation.

Trouble sleeping

Insomnia is a common complaint of people living with depression. The exhaustion often worsens as the condition progresses.

Weight loss or gain

Feelings of depression often cause appetite changes, which may lead to weight loss or weight gain.

Inflammation

People suffering from depression may have widespread inflammation, and they’re prone to autoimmune disorders. Chronic inflammation may make the symptoms of depression worse over time.

Sexual problems

The feelings associated with depression often lead to sexual changes, including decreased libido, trouble with arousal, and lack of orgasm.

Chronic pain

Chronic pain is another way depression affects the body. People with depression often report chronic headaches and joint or muscle pain.

Improving your mental health with treatment

Depression affects various aspects of your health, and without treatment, it continues to get worse. People living with severe depression may continue to spiral, sometimes leading to thoughts of suicide or self-harm.

To prevent depression from overtaking your life, you must recognize the signs and seek treatment. Depression is entirely treatable, and doctors today have various methods at their disposal to help you improve your mental health, paving the way for better overall wellness.

When you visit Dr. Scott for your appointment, she asks about how you’re feeling. She evaluates your physical and mental health to determine if depression is the culprit behind your symptoms, and she offers personalized treatments to help you cope.

Medications and psychotherapy are the two main treatments for depression. Typically, Dr. Scott uses a combination of both to treat your symptoms. After a few weeks of treatment, you should notice a difference in your mental health, and your physical symptoms should begin to improve as well.

If you're suffering from depression and need help now, call Lori Scott Family Care in Kinston, North  Carolina, today at 252-513-1749. Don’t put it off any longer. You also can request a consultation on the website anytime.