Physical symptoms

If you are depressed, it is quite common to have a reduced appetite. You don't feel any pleasure in eating and the food doesn't seem tasty. You have to force yourself to eat. You may lose a significant amount of weight, which can exacerbate tiredness. And so the vicious cycle continues.

Some people have an increased appetite when they are depressed, usually this is with atypical depression. Some people ‘comfort eat’ i.e. eating fulfils an emotional need, this is temporary and usually results in weight gain. Its important to realise that unexplained appetite and weight changes may be symptoms of depression.

Pain

If you have chronic pain, for example due to rheumatism or a bad back, your pain may intensify when you are depressed. Sometimes depression can cause different aches and pains e.g.

• sore muscles and joints
• stomach-ache or other stomach problems
• headache

It is often this pain which makes you go to your doctor. It is therefore important that the doctor keeps depression in mind if you get or have pain which has got worse without any clear physical reason. Pain and other chronic symptoms can also increase your chances of developing depression.

Tension

Depression makes it difficult for you to relax both physically and mentally. You feel unable to make decisions or think clearly. Your muscles are tense and maybe even sore, and even though you are tired, you are unable to relax and rest. This stress and tension increases your feeling of being unwell and hence increases your depression.

Tiredness and lack of energy

Most depressed people are tired and complain about a reduced level of energy. Tiredness and lack of energy can be so dominant that you are unable to get up, have a bath or do anything. The tiredness isolates you, as you can't pick up the telephone, have visitors or relate to other people, not even to those closest to you.