Where Does Depression Hurt?

Depression can hurt everywhere — both emotionally and physically. Someone with depression might think or say any of the following:

• "I feel sad all the time."
• "I just don't feel like myself."
• "I don't enjoy being with my friends or doing any of the things I usually love to do."
• "I feel completely overwhelmed by my life. I can't see a way out."
• "I've been having a lot of trouble sleeping lately."
• "I keep having aches and pains, and my doctor doesn't know why."

Depression is not just a temporary mood, and it's not a sign of personal weakness. People with depression can experience a variety of emotional and physical symptoms.

For some people, it's a matter of feeling sad, overwhelmed, or stressed out. For others, aches, pains, fatigue, and other physical problems are part of their depression too. In fact, research suggests that about two-thirds of people diagnosed with depression talk to their family doctors first about physical symptoms.¹

Linked to Serotonin and Norepinephrine
Many researchers believe depression is caused by an imbalance of naturally-occurring chemicals, serotonin and norepinephrine, in the brain and the body. In the brain, these two chemicals are thought to be associated with mood. These same chemicals are thought to be associated with regulating and reducing feelings of pain that come from the body.

If these chemicals are out of balance, the effect can be felt in both the brain and body. You can feel both the emotional and painful physical symptoms of depression.

Family History May Be Important
People with a family history of depression may be more likely to get the disease, but anyone can become depressed. Sometimes the triggers are external – for example, relationship troubles or financial problems. At other times the disease may begin with physical illness or hormonal shifts. Depression also may occur without any identifiable trigger at all.

Seek Help
Many people suffer in silence while depression slowly eats away at their quality of life. Some are ashamed or afraid to seek help; others try to downplay the severity of their symptoms. It's important to remember, depression isn't something that's "all in your head."

Take Suicidal Thoughts Seriously
Thoughts about death or suicide are common in depression, and it's important to take such thoughts seriously. If you feel like giving up or as if you might hurt yourself, get help immediately:

Who Does Depression Hurt?

Depression is common, affecting about 121 million people worldwide.¹ More than 32 million people in the United States will experience a major depressive disorder in their lifetime.² This happens regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, or income. Depression affects friends and family as well, putting stress on relationships at home and at work.

Unfortunately, many people with depression avoid seeking treatment because they worry what others will think of them. They don't realize how widespread this medical condition is:

• Depression is among the leading causes of disability worldwide¹
• Women are nearly twice as likely as men to experience depression²
• People with a family history of depression may be more likely to develop the disease
• People with chronic or debilitating medical conditions may also be susceptible to the disease
• A major life change, even a joyous one like becoming a new parent, increases the risk of developing depression

The fact is, depression affects plenty of people who don't have any obvious risk factors. What's more, those around the depressed person are touched too, including family, friends and coworkers.

References:

Self-Assessment Checklist

Everyone experiences the symptoms of depression a little differently, but healthcare professionals have identified some common emotional and painful physical symptoms of depression.

Fill out the checklist below, then print your results. Use your answers to help you talk to your doctor about how you are feeling. Only your doctor or healthcare professional can make a proper diagnosis.

This checklist was developed by depression experts at the University of Michigan.

Depression Checklist
Check all boxes that apply to you.

A note about suicidal thoughts

Taking the First Step

If you are concerned about some of your symptoms, here are a few important first steps toward finding relief:

1. Learn more about depression
Find out how depression affects your emotions and your body, and read about the various treatments available before speaking with a healthcare professional. You can also make a list of questions to ask during your visit. View some questions to ask your doctor.

2. Make an appointment with a doctor
Talk to your doctor or another healthcare professional about your symptoms. He or she can tell you whether you have depression and work with you to plan a course of action that you feel good about. Your doctor may also suggest that you see a specialist, such as a psychiatrist or a therapist. Learn more about different ways of treating depression.

Talking to Your Doctor

If you think you may be experiencing some of the symptoms of depression, it's a good idea to talk to your doctor about it.

Your primary care provider is a good place to start. He or she can evaluate your symptoms and determine whether depression is the underlying cause. Your doctor may suggest a course of treatment, or may refer you to a specialist, such as a psychiatrist. If you don't already have a primary care provider, see if your friends, family members, or health insurance company can recommend someone.

It's a good idea to prepare yourself for the visit. First, create a list of questions you want to ask, some notes about your symptoms and your medical history. The more detail you can provide, the easier it is for your doctor to make an accurate diagnosis. You may also want to ask a trusted friend or relative to come with you. He or she can take notes during the visit and provide support afterward.

Questions to Ask Your Doctor

Doctor appointments can be rushed, and you may forget to bring up topics important to you. One way to make the most out of your visit is to make a list of questions beforehand and then check them off as you and your doctor talk.

Here are some sample questions to get you started.

After you describe your symptoms, ask:

• Do you think I have depression? If so, what kind of depression is it?
• Could my depression be triggered by some other medical condition, or by medications I'm currently taking?

If your doctor diagnoses depression, ask:

• Can you treat my depression, or do I need to see a specialist, such as a psychiatrist? If so, can you recommend someone?
• Do I need counseling? If so, can you recommend someone?
• Are there any self-help strategies or lifestyle changes you'd recommend?

3. Talk to your friends and family
Depression can be isolating. Your loved ones can be a real source of comfort and emotional support. They may even help you with practical things like finding a doctor or therapist. You don't have to face depression alone. After talking to friends and family about it, you might actually feel relieved.

Talking to Friends & Family

Experts at the Mayo Clinic say that you can actually improve your mental health by strengthening your relationships. Here's what you may find when you reach out:

• Encouragement: Friends and family help you do things that are healthy, like visiting your doctor when you're not well.
• A sense of belonging: Relationships help you increase your self-esteem and give you a feeling of purpose.
• A calming effect: Just knowing that someone is there for support can help.
• Good times: Enjoy simple pleasures with friends to aid your overall health.

Start with how you're feeling
Be honest and straightforward about what you've been experiencing. It might be useful to describe your symptoms. Just talking about being depressed may be a relief.

Explain depression
Share what you know about depression — that it is a real disease with many causes, and that treatment can work. When friends and family understand your illness better, they'll be able to support you better.

Suggest spending time together
Think of a few activities, like a morning walk or doing the crossword, which you can share with a friend or family member. Let your loved ones know that good times — and even just their company — can help you feel better.

Ask for what you need
You may just want to know that friends and family are there for you. Or, you might need help with practical things like driving you to the doctor or helping with chores. Don't be afraid to ask.

Remember that support is a two-way street
Your loved ones have their fair share of challenges too — it's part of life. Sometimes depression can make it hard for you to be there for other people. Just let them know that you're trying, and that you care. It can go a long way to keeping relationships strong and healthy.

Managing Depression

People experience depression in different ways. People can become depressed for a variety of reasons, they may show any combination of symptoms, and they respond differently to various treatments.

In this section, you'll learn about the various kinds of therapies available, how you and your doctor can develop a plan of action, and how you can get the emotional and practical support you need.

As you discover what works best for you, your plan of action may change, but the goal doesn't. It takes time, but you can get better.

Treating Depression

Depression treatments tend to fall into two primary categories: antidepressant medication and talk therapy. Many healthcare professionals recommend a combination of the two. Your doctor may also recommend some lifestyle changes you can make to help yourself feel better.

Depression treatment doesn't have a one-size-fits-all solution. The particular treatment you and your doctor agree upon will depend on what works best for you. Keep the communication lines open between you and your doctor as you continue the treatment process. Your doctor can help you fine-tune your treatment until you get the relief you need.

Antidepressant medication — The First Two Months
Taking medication to treat depression doesn't change your personality; you'll simply start to feel better. You may begin to feel improvement in your symptoms in the first couple of weeks of taking an antidepressant. Typically, within four to six weeks, you should notice a significant improvement.

Remember that it takes your body some time to get used to any new medication. You may notice some side effects early in this period, but taking your medication as your doctor recommends may reduce the chances of some side effects.

If you still have some symptoms during this early phase of treatment, your doctor may adjust your prescription. Be sure to give your medicine time to work. It's a common mistake to stop taking the medication too soon before you can tell if it's going to work or because of temporary side effects.

With other illnesses, feeling good means it's time to stop taking medication. Depression is a little different. By sticking with your treatment as long as your doctor recommends, you reduce the chances of having depression return.

Antidepressants work best when they are taken as directed and considered part of a complete treatment plan. Side effects are usually manageable and many shouldn't last long. Be sure to talk with your doctor about any side effects you experience.

Talk Therapy
Therapy typically means that you spend about an hour a week talking with a mental health professional. Treatment can continue for weeks or 1 to 2 years. Every person's situation is different.

Some common types of therapy include:

Therapy is simply a way for you to learn new skills to deal with recurring problems or negative ways of thinking. These new skills can help you improve your outlook and relieve depression's symptoms.