About 17 million Americans are estimated to develop depression each year. In one large survey, 8.6% of adults over the age of 18 reported having a mental health problem for at least two weeks. However, the incidence may be even higher since many people fail to seek help for depression. One reason may be because they are not alert of the signs of depression. Many feel think that depression is exhibited only by emotional problems, but that is not the only sign. Physical ailments can be linked to depression. (It is important to note that depression symptoms vary from person to person.)
Here are a just few physical symptoms that could be linked to depression problems:
- Headaches
- Digestive Problems
- Muscle or Joint Pain
- Dizzy Spells
- Change in Appetite
- Problems Sleeping
- Exhaustion
Visit The National Institute of Mental Health for a full list of signs and symptoms of depression.
If you can relate to the symptoms listed above, I advise you to seek professional help to see if you can determine what is causing your symptoms. And remember that depression is treatable. For more information on treating depression, visit Overcoming Depression on my website. It is also important to understand the mind and body connection. Visit Holistic Health Consciousness for a more detail explanation.