Can Depression Make You Sick?

Depression causes persistent sadness, numbness, and loss of interest. The mind and body are deeply connected. And when mental health suffers, it’s only a matter of time before physical health follows. But what exactly happens when depression starts impacting your body?

What Are the Physical Symptoms Associated with Depression?

Depression affects the body in ways that often go unnoticed. Many physical symptoms are misdiagnosed, hiding the true source.

  • Chronic Fatigue: Fatigue from depression can leave you feeling utterly drained. Everyday tasks become impossible. Even simple activities like getting out of bed can become a struggle. Research showed that over 90% of those with major depressive disorder (MDD) report experiencing relentless exhaustion. This isn’t just tiredness. It’s a deep, pervasive fatigue that impacts daily life.
  • Aches and Pains: Muscle tension, joint pain, and random aches can feel like an invisible weight dragging you down. People with depression often face these symptoms. A physical manifestation of emotional distress. Studies reveal they’re four times more likely to endure chronic pain than others.
  • Digestive Issues: Depression disrupts the gut-brain axis, triggering symptoms like nausea, bloating, and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Serotonin, essential for mood regulation, directly influences gut function. Imbalances in serotonin levels can worsen both mental and digestive health.
  • Headaches and Migraines: Depression often brings tension headaches or migraines along with it. People with major depressive disorder (MDD) face a higher chance of recurring headaches. 
  • Sleep Disturbances: Insomnia or sleeping too much often signals depression. Sleep disruptions worsen emotional struggles, fueling deeper exhaustion. Low energy and mood feed into poor sleep, creating a relentless cycle.
  • Changes in Appetite and Weight: Depression often triggers noticeable weight changes. Loss of appetite may cause unintentional weight loss. Others might seek comfort in food, resulting in weight gain.

How Does Depression Impact the Immune System?

Depression also suppresses the body’s defenses. Immune function weakens, leaving the body more prone to infections. Vulnerability to chronic conditions also rises as defenses decrease.

  • Increased Inflammation: Depression raises inflammatory markers, including C-reactive protein (CRP) and cytokines. These heightened levels trigger chronic inflammation, which harms tissues over time. Such inflammation increases the risk of conditions like heart disease and diabetes.
  • Weakened Immune Response: Depression also suppresses the activity of natural killer (NK) cells. These cells are necessary for defending the body against infections and tumors. Reduced NK cell function weakens the immune system’s ability to protect and heal.
  • Impaired Gut Microbiome: It disrupts gut microbiota, which directly impacts immune function. Gut imbalances make the body more vulnerable to inflammation. These changes can increase the risk of autoimmune disorders.
  • Delayed Recovery from Illness: Research confirms that people recovering from surgery or illness face longer recovery times when dealing with depressive symptoms. Individuals with higher levels of depression at discharge are more likely to develop infections. Poorer wound healing is also observed within six weeks after surgery in those with depressive symptoms.

Can Depression Lead to Chronic Illnesses?

Yes, depression significantly increases the risk of chronic illnesses. It acts as both a risk factor and a compounding condition.

  • Cardiovascular Diseases: Depression is associated with a higher risk of coronary artery disease. It also increases the likelihood of heart attack and stroke.
  • Diabetes: People with depression face a 60% higher risk of developing Type 2 diabetes, according to NIH research. Chronic stress disrupts the body’s ability to regulate blood sugar. Inflammation further complicates this connection, increasing vulnerability.
  • Hypertension: Depression triggers prolonged stress responses that raise blood pressure. Constant strain on the cardiovascular system heightens the risk of hypertension. Over time, this increases the likelihood of serious heart-related complications.
  • Autoimmune Disorders:  Depression weakens immune function, making autoimmune diseases like lupus and multiple sclerosis more likely. Stress often leads to inflammation, which can act as a trigger for these conditions. Chronic mental health struggles may also worsen existing autoimmune disorders.
  • Neurodegenerative Diseases: Long-term depression raises the risk of Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias. Persistent inflammation fuels damage to brain cells. Elevated stress hormones accelerate cognitive decline over time.

How Does Depression Treatment Improve Physical Health?

Treating depression significantly improves physical health in measurable ways. Therapies like Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) target the root causes of mental distress. These treatments not only enhance emotional well-being but also reduce the physical strain depression places on the body.

  • Reduction in Chronic Stress and Inflammation: Depression treatment actively reduces cortisol levels, which helps decrease inflammation in the body. Untreated depression is often linked to higher levels of inflammatory markers, including C-reactive protein (CRP). Stress and inflammation go hand in hand, worsening both mental and physical health. TMS therapy addresses these issues by regulating brain activity, leading to improved stress management. 
  • Improved Cardiovascular Health: TMS therapy helps regulate heart rate variability and stabilize blood pressure. Reducing depressive symptoms also lowers the risk of cardiovascular complications.
  • Enhanced Immune Function: Depression suppresses immune function, making infections more likely. Vulnerability to illnesses increases as the body struggles to defend itself. Treating depression helps the immune system regain strength. Recovery from illnesses becomes faster and more effective with proper care.
  • Better Sleep Quality: Sleep issues like insomnia or hypersomnia often signal depression. TMS therapy helps regulate brain activity tied to sleep patterns. Many individuals experience more restorative rest with this treatment. Better sleep leads to reduced fatigue and higher energy levels.
  • Alleviation of Pain and Physical Symptoms: Headaches, back pain, and joint stiffness are common physical symptoms of depression. TMS therapy addresses the neurological causes of these symptoms. Pain perception decreases, and physical comfort improves with this targeted treatment.

Treating depression improves both mental and physical well-being. Evidence-based options like TMS therapy target emotional struggles while reducing the physical risks linked to depression. Long-term harm to the body can often be prevented with timely and effective care.

Why Should You Reach Out to the TMS Institute of Arizona?

The TMS Institute of Arizona delivers expert care with a compassionate approach. Our FDA-approved TMS therapy offers a safe, non-invasive, and medication-free treatment for depression. Backed by advanced technology and a focus on improving health, our treatments are designed to help you regain control and live better.

The TMS Institute of Arizona ensures accessible care for those who need it most. Connect with our expert team today.

References

Mezuk, B., Eaton, W. W., Albrecht, S., & Golden, S. H. (2008). Depression and Type 2 Diabetes Over the Lifespan. Diabetes Care, 31(12), 2383–2390. https://doi.org/10.2337/dc08-0985

Evans, D. L., Folds, J. D., Petitto, J. M., Golden, R. N., Pedersen, C. A., Corrigan, M., Gilmore, J. H., Silva, S. G., Quade, D., & Ozer, H. (1992). Circulating Natural Killer Cell Phenotypes in Men and Women With Major Depression. Archives of General Psychiatry, 49(5), 388–388. https://doi.org/10.1001/archpsyc.1992.01820050052009

Gouin, J.-P., & Kiecolt-Glaser, J. K. (2010). The Impact of Psychological Stress on Wound Healing: Methods and Mechanisms. Immunology and Allergy Clinics of North America, 31(1), 81–93. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.iac.2010.09.010

‌Wei, C.-B., Jia, J.-P., Wang, F., Zhou, A.-H., Zuo, X.-M., & Chu, C.-B. (2016). Overlap between Headache, Depression, and Anxiety in General Neurological Clinics. Chinese Medical Journal, 129(12), 1394–1399. https://doi.org/10.4103/0366-6999.183410

Kleiber, B., Jain, S., & Trivedi, M. H. (2005). Depression and Pain: Implications for Symptomatic Presentation and Pharmacological Treatments. Psychiatry (Edgmont), 2(5), 12. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3000181/

Helia Ghanean, Ceniti, A. K., & Kennedy, S. H. (2018). Fatigue in Patients with Major Depressive Disorder: Prevalence, Burden and Pharmacological Approaches to Management. CNS Drugs, 32(1), 65–74. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40263-018-0490-z

‌