Most people think of the emotional cost of depression, but it can also take a real toll on your physical health. At Uptown Psych in Chicago, Illinois, we specialize in mental health. Our large team of psychologists and psychiatrists customize treatments for people who suffer with a range of conditions, including addiction, schizophrenia, attention deficit disorder, hyperactivity disorder, anxiety, and depression. In this blog, our experts answer some frequently asked questions about depression, and how, if left untreated, it can affect your body and harm you physically.
How is depression defined?
Depression is a serious mood disorder that causes chronically low moods that influence your decisions and impact your overall quality of life. Also called clinical depression and depressive disorder, some of the telltale mental symptoms include:
• Loss of interest in hobbies or people you enjoy
• Feelings of guilt and shame
• Loss of focus and inability to concentrate
• Perpetual feelings of sadness
• Overwhelming sense of hopelessness
• Intrusive and suicidal thoughts
• Sudden onset of poor decision-making
• Our team conducts a thorough examination and diagnoses you with depression if you’re enduring these symptoms for more than a couple weeks and it’s disrupting your normal routines.
Who develops depression?
Depression is a common mental disorder that strikes about 17 million people each year. Women are twice as prone to have depression than men and close to 2 million children also battle the illness. While it’s hard to pinpoint exactly why someone becomes depressed, research links it to genetic, biological, psychological, and environmental factors.
How can depression affect me physically?
Physical symptoms of depression may be because of shared neurological pathways and can manifest in the following ways:
• Joint pain
• Sleep deprivation
• Fatigue
• Loss of appetite
• Back pain
• Restlessness
• Upset stomach
• Weight loss
• Headaches
• Loss of libido
• High blood pressure
• Decreased immune function
• Low-grade chronic nausea
• In addition, according to the Depression and Bipolar Disorder Alliance, people with depressive disorder are at a significantly increased risk of coronary artery disease.
Can depression be treated?
Absolutely. Our goal at Uptown Psych is to help you reach complete remission and resume a life of purpose and happiness. We take a comprehensive approach to treat both the emotional and physical symptoms that are impairing your quality of life. Rather than using medication to control the severity of your condition, we work with you to implement therapeutic strategies that get to the root of your pain and suffering, such as:
• Psychodynamic therapy
• Mindfulness
• Counseling
• Cognitive behavioral therapy
With consistent treatment, we see our patients significantly improve physically and mentally in about three to four months. You don’t have to endure your mental health condition alone. Turn to our team of trusted experts to help you transition back to health in body and mind. Call today or request an appointment online.