A common comment used by people who have no understanding of mental illness is “it’s all in your head.”
Newsflash! No, it’s not all in our heads thank you!
Mental illness is a very real illness with 350 million suffering from depression and 40 million experiencing anxiety in the US alone.
Depression and anxiety is not just the effect on your mind, your body shows very real physical symptoms too.
12 Physical Symptoms Of Depression And Anxiety:
Headaches/Migraines
Headaches can be found in those with both depression and anxiety. They can range from mild headaches to ground flooring migraines. It some severe cases the person can experience a permanent headache that can greatly impact their daily function.
Dizziness/Lightheadedness
This symptom is found in both illnesses. It can be brief and sudden or grow over some time. You find this prominently in anxiety and can be debilitating whereas depression leaves the person feeling numb.
Back Pain
Commonly associated with depression. Should you already have had a back problem which causes you pain this building up over a long period of time leads to feeling depressed due to lack of control of the pain, which then is made worse by feeling depressed, it becomes a vicious cycle.
Digestive Issues
We all feel that stomach-churning butterfly attacks if we are worried or anxious and that can cause diarrhea. An increase in medication to control our anxiety can also lead to constipation, the same effect can be found with depression.
Muscle Aches/Joint Pain
When we feel anxious or/and depressed our body aches and these aches are very real.
Chest Pain
This one can be associated with both depression and anxiety but is more common in those with anxiety. You are left feeling as if you are having a heart attack which can be terrifying and makes your symptoms worse.
Sleeping Issues
Sleeping issues go along with both as well. You are too depressed to sleep, or you find yourself sleeping all the time but still feel tired as if you have had no sleep at all.
Chest Pressure/Tightness
This one is more often associated with anxiety it is your body reacting to the stress your mind is going through. It is an unpleasant feeling as tightness can lead to breathing problems.
Breathing Difficulties
Breathing difficulties are often associated with anxiety. The more anxious you become the harder it is to breathe, and this is a huge part of the illness.
Nausea
This one can be found with both depression and anxiety. The feeling of having no control over your life, nervousness, panic, and fear can make you physically sick.
Sweating
As we become anxious, we begin to sweat, sometimes even a cold sweat. Sweating is a normal bodily function but excessive sweating is an unpleasant and frustrating symptom.
Shaking
Shaking effects both illnesses. Fear plays a huge role the more nervous you become the more you shake. The feelings are very real and some people have even said they needed someone to hold them to stop the shaking as it had become so violent.
If you or someone you care about suffers from mental illness of any kind don’t ever let anyone say “it’s all in your head.” You are valid and your illness is valid.
