The symptoms of depression can be divided into mood, physical, behavioral, and psychological, though the majority overlap, fitting into more than one category. Because depression is a mental illness, some have trouble understanding how it can have physical effects. However, the physical effects of depression are real and proven.
Depression causes a number of changes in the body. The central nervous system may not function normally, causing headaches, chronic body aches, and pain, none of which may respond to medication. Because depression affects one's eating habits, it can lead to type-II diabetes, cramps, constipation, and stomachaches. Depression also increases stress, which causes faster heart rates and tighter blood vessels, casing the body to enter a state of emergency that, due to the length of depression, can be prolonged and lead to heart disease. In fact, depressed patients hospitalized for heart conditions are more likely to have severe chest pain, heart attacks, or stroke within the year. Depression also weakens the immune system, making an individual more vulnerable to infections and other diseases. |
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