Does being really sad or depressed actually cause physical symptoms?

[MLGbreezy]

I mean beside crying I’m not big on that so I tend to not let myself cry but anytime I hold emotions like that back I always get like these headaches especially if a situation is making me very depressed and stressed as well usually dealing with woman. I read online that being depressed does cause physical symptoms like headache, muscle tension etc I’m some cases. It’s really crazy, have you ever experienced this?

[sage2021]

Yes, it will cause many different illnesses and even affect your cortisol levels which is part of the axis that has to do with your adrenal glands which are the two gland that are right above each kidney. Then that affects your pituitary gland.

Definitely affects your immune system and can cause major illnesses. I believe it can also trigger autoimmune diseases which is when your body turns against you and finds a part of your body that is normal but it goes after whatever it wants to and attacks it as if it is an invader. Crazy huh?

I have autoimmune disease so I know about them a little bit.

Headaches and stomach aches are very common.

It's best to take care of depression and anxiety so your body can heal before really bad things start to develop inside your body.

[CupcakeTheDestroyer]

Yes, anxiety has given me all kinds of stomach and digestion issues, not to mention heart issues. I think something that people forget is that we, as humans, have chemical-based emotions, meaning we can only feel certain feelings when certain chemicals are active in our brain. And in excess, any of those chemicals can have really bad side effects. An excess of dopamine creates an addiction, and that’s a chemical that makes you happy.

[Sonorous]

Yeah. Not sure exactly why but knowing just how much the brain has to communicate with the body via the central nervous system, any stress & it will be chemically & electrically communicated. And since the body can't differentiate from life or death stress vs just regular socially caused stress, it puts it in a similar negative state all the same.

For instance, when I'm stressed I notice that my breathing isn't as deep, my muscles are more tense, my hormones are less stable & release adrenaline, cortisol & others, etc. All of this is the complete opposite of what the parasympathetic nervous system needs to help regulate emotion, digest food better so we can absorb nutrients properly, reduce heartrate, manage inflammation, relax muscles, etc.

[Juxtapose]

Try having some deep thoughts while you work on a heavy bag and really sweat it out. Then have a long shower and soak in a bubble bath afterwards, really let your mind go through the thoughts it needs to go through.

[7Phoenix7]

Yea, depression can manifest in different ways... one way being physically.

Headaches, back pain, stomach aches, extreme fatigue, a weakened immune system... etc.

it's best to not bottle it and instead get help. Speak to a doctor about natural ways to feel better like exercise, Journaling, eating healthier, taking vitamins, natural herbs... And if that doesn't work then maybe medication is a possible solution.

Therapy is also a good idea. Hope you feel better...

[Agape93]

Absolutely