Depression is often thought of as purely a mental health issue, but it can also manifest in physical symptoms that are just as debilitating.

These physical (somatic) signs can make it harder for individuals to recognize that they’re dealing with depression, as they might attribute their discomfort to other causes, such as stress, fatigue, or physical illness.

Here’s a look at the various physical symptoms of depression:

1. Fatigue and low energy

One of the most common physiological clues of depression is a persistent feeling of fatigue.

Unfortunately, this isn’t the kind of tiredness that goes away after a good night’s sleep. It’s a deep, lingering exhaustion that can make simple daily tasks like getting out of bed or showering feel overwhelming.

• • Why it happens: Depression disrupts sleep patterns, and there can be an imbalance in the brain’s neurotransmitters, like serotonin and dopamine, which play a role in energy levels.

2. Changes in sleep patterns
   
   

People with depression often experience sleep disturbances such as:

• • Insomnia: Trouble falling or staying asleep.
  • Hypersomnia: Sleeping excessively but still feeling tired.
  • Unrefreshing sleep: Feeling exhausted even after a full night’s rest. This might also be due to waking up multiple times during the night.
  • Why it happens: Depression affects the regulation of sleep cycles, often leading to a misalignment of circadian rhythms.

3. Chronic pain and aches

Depression can cause or worsen physical pain in various parts of the body, including:

• • Headaches: Tension headaches or migraines.
  • Back pain: Often a dull, persistent ache.
  • Muscle or joint pain: You might experience stiffness and soreness without an apparent cause.
  • Chest pain: While this symptom should always be evaluated to rule out heart issues, chest pain can be linked to anxiety and depression.
  • Why it happens: Depression triggers inflammation and increases the body’s sensitivity to pain, often linked to stress hormones like cortisol.

4. Gastrointestinal problems

The connection between the brain and the gut (often called the gut-brain axis) means that depression can strongly impact digestive health. Think of symptoms like:

• • Stomach pain or cramps.
  • Nausea.
  • Indigestion.
  • Constipation or diarrhea.
  • Why it happens: Imbalances in neurotransmitters can disrupt digestive functions, since the gut contains a high concentration of serotonin receptors.

5. Changes in appetite and weight
   
   

Depression can cause significant changes in eating habits, either leading to overeating or a lack of appetite. This can result in:

• • Weight gain: Emotional eating or craving comfort foods high in sugar and fat.
  • Weight loss: Loss of interest in food, leading to reduced appetite and skipping meals.
  • Why it happens: Depression affects the part of the brain that regulates hunger, and changes in stress hormones can either suppress or stimulate appetite.

6. Psychomotor agitation or retardation

People with depression may experience changes in their physical movements, which can appear as:

• • Agitation: Restlessness, pacing, or an inability to sit still.
  • Retardation: Slowed movements or speech.
  • Why it happens: Depression impacts the brain’s motor cortex, which controls movement, as well as the basal ganglia involved in regulating motor behavior.

7. Decreased libido and sexual dysfunction

Depression can lead to a reduced interest in sex and intimacy. Some individuals may have trouble becoming aroused or reaching orgasm, while others might lose interest in sex altogether.

• • Why it happens: The hormonal imbalances and emotional stress associated with depression can reduce libido and affect sexual functioning.

8. Weakened immune system

Depression can make individuals more prone to infections and illnesses like colds, the flu, or other infections by suppressing the immune system.

• • Why it happens: Chronic stress from depression can weaken the immune system over time by elevating cortisol levels.

9. Dizziness or lightheadedness
   
   

Some people may feel dizzy or lightheaded, especially if they’re also experiencing anxiety or panic attacks.

• • Why it happens: Chronic stress, irregular breathing patterns, and changes in blood pressure associated with depression can lead to these sensations.

10. Reduced pain tolerance

Depressed individuals might feel more sensitive to pain or discomfort. For instance, they may experience increased pain from conditions like fibromyalgia or arthritis.

• • Why it happens: Depression alters the brain’s pain processing pathways, heightening the perception of pain.

11. Changes in vision

Some people report having blurred vision or trouble focusing visually, which can make reading or looking at screens difficult.

• • Why it happens: Depression can affect how the brain processes sensory information.

12. Changes in skin health
    
    

Some people with depression experience changes in their skin, such as:

• • Dry skin: Persistent dryness, flakiness, or rough patches.
  • Acne flare-ups: Increased breakouts, potentially due to elevated stress hormones like cortisol.
  • Psoriasis and eczema: These conditions may worsen due to stress and lowered immunity.
  • Why it happens: Depression can trigger inflammatory responses and hormonal imbalances, which can affect skin health.

13. Hair loss or thinning

Strong and prolonged stress and depression can lead to changes in hair health, including:

• • Hair thinning or shedding: Noticeable hair loss or patches of thinning hair.
  • Brittle hair: Hair that breaks easily or looks dull.
  • Why it happens: Chronic stress associated with depression can lead to telogen effluvium, a condition where hair prematurely enters a resting phase, leading to shedding.

14. Frequent urination or bladder Issues

Depression can impact the bladder, leading to:

• • Increased frequency of urination: Feeling the urge to urinate more often, especially if anxiety co-occurs.
  • Bladder discomfort: Some may feel a sensation of bladder pressure or discomfort.
  • Why it happens: Depression and anxiety can influence the autonomic nervous system, which controls bladder function.

15. Sensitivity to cold or heat
    
    

Individuals with depression might experience altered sensitivity to temperature:

• • Feeling unusually cold: A tendency to feel chilled, even in warm environments.
  • Overheating: Feeling excessively warm or having hot flashes.
  • Why it happens: Depression can disrupt the body’s ability to regulate temperature due to hormonal imbalances and changes in blood circulation.

16. Eye health issues

Depression can sometimes cause vision-related symptoms such as:

• • Dry eyes: Feelings of grittiness or dryness.
  • Eye strain: Difficulty focusing, especially when reading or using screens.
  • Eye floaters: Seeing spots or lines in the field of vision.
  • Why it happens: Depression can lead to changes in eye lubrication and focusing abilities by affecting the nervous system.

17. Jaw pain or teeth grinding (bruxism)

Some individuals with depression may grind their teeth or clench their jaws, especially those who experience anxiety as well, leading to:

• • Jaw pain: Soreness or discomfort around the jaw area.
  • Headaches: Tension headaches due to jaw clenching.
  • Why it happens: Stress and anxiety associated with depression can trigger muscle tension.

18. Irregular menstrual cycles in women
    
    

Women with depression may notice changes in their menstrual cycles, including:

• • Irregular periods: Periods that come earlier, later, or are missed entirely.
  • Heavy or painful periods: More intense menstrual symptoms than usual.
  • Why it happens: Depression affects hormone regulation, which can impact the menstrual cycle.

19. Sensations of numbness or tingling

Depression can cause unusual sensations in the body, like:

• • Tingling: Especially in the hands or feet.
  • Numbness: Feeling detached or disconnected from parts of the body.
  • Why it happens: These sensations can result from anxiety that often accompanies depression, leading to hyperventilation or poor blood circulation.

20. Shortness of breath
    
    

Feeling out of breath or like you can’t get enough air is another symptom that can occur, particularly if anxiety is also present. This can be accompanied by:

• • Chest tightness: Feeling like there’s pressure on your chest.
  • Difficulty breathing deeply: A sense of not being able to take a full breath.
  • Why it happens: Depression (and anxiety) can lead to shallow breathing patterns or panic attacks, which can create these symptoms.

Conclusion

Many people may not realize that their physical symptoms are related to depression, which can delay getting the right treatment. Yet, it’s so important to know what these physiological signs are to get the right therapy as soon as possible to get the best treatment outcomes.

It’s also common for these somatic clues to be dismissed or misdiagnosed as purely medical issues. Understanding that depression can manifest in the body is crucial for identifying the condition early and seeking appropriate help.

Treatment options like therapy, medication, and lifestyle changes can effectively address both the mental and physical symptoms of depression.