What Can Depression Do To Your Body?


When depression is a consequence of experiencing chronic stress, it can wreak havoc on our bodies.

Stress is part of life. It is a response to things that occur to us and around us, and our bodies can deal with a moderate amount of stress. Not all stress is bad, either. Stress allows us to be vigilant when necessary and can aide in preparing our bodies to deal with difficult situations regardless of whether the situations are mental, emotional or physical.

Physical Effects of Depression

Stress, anxiety and depression are all linked, and when we experience too much stress, health issues can develop as consequences of our body's physical reaction to stress. This can lead to depression which, along with other signs and symptoms, can cause several additional health problems:

  • - The digestive system suffers as a consequence of stress-induced depression. To begin, a stressed and depressed person tends to experience a decrease in their appetite, leading to a situation in which they are not properly providing their bodies with enough nutrition. Furthermore, constipation is not uncommon, and neither is something like an upset stomach, since times of stress have the tendency to slow down the digestive system.
  • - When we're experiencing stress, the parasympathetic response inhibits bodily actions, such as urination. Thus, when stress causes depression, it can also cause trouble with urination.
  • - Headaches can develop when stress causes a spike in one's blood pressure.
  • - Immunosuppression can occur. Extended periods of stress can reduce the efficacy of the immune system, leading to a person becoming sick more frequently.
  • - Depression typically causes the kind of fatigue that leaves a person without the energy to exercise and otherwise stay in shape, meaning that one's overall physical condition can be put in jeopardy from depression.



PsyWeb Poll

Total votes: 3978