Nine Physical Symptoms of Depression to Watch For

Exhaustion and fatigue. Even long hours of sleep fail to help people with depression easily get out of the bed in the morning.

Headaches. These occur in many people suffering from depression. Depression can also worsen a migraine headache condition.

Back pain. As with headaches, depression can cause back pain to start, or to get worse if one already has it.

Chest pain. This could be a warning sign of a heart problem, so immediate attention should be sought. But it can stem from depression, too.

Muscle aches and joint pain. These can intensify among those who are depressed.

Sleeping problems. Depression disrupts many people’s sleep patterns. Some sleep much more than usual. Others have difficulty falling asleep or sleeping through the night.

Dizziness or lightheadedness.

Change in appetite or weight. Depression can alter people’s behavior toward food. Some lose interest in it, and their weight declines. Others develop a craving for certain food items – especially carbohydrates – and gain weight.
   
Depression can be treated with therapy or medications, or both. And in some cases, this will put an end to the physical symptoms.
   
But it’s important that a patient tells his or her doctor about any physical symptoms that may be experienced. The physician may be able to help – by, for example, prescribing an anti-anxiety drug for insomnia.
   
Since pain can increase depression, a pain medication can sometimes alleviate depression. Some drugs, such as Cymbalta and Effexor, can fight depression and chronic pain at the same time. Pain can also be dealt with through some kinds of focused therapy, which can train a patient to cope with the pain.