The Physical Side of Depression
Posted on: October 29th, 2013
According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIH), approximately 6.7 percent of Americans, age 18 and older, suffer from major depressive disorder, commonly referred to as depression. Another 1.5 percent of the population suffers from the more mild form of depression, dysthymic disorder. For these people, one aspect of depression not often understood involves physical pain, which can accompany depression. In fact, Michael Craig Miller, M.D., notes that up to two-thirds of people suffering from depression report at least one chronic pain symptom.
The Department of Psychiatry of the Columbia University Medical Center suggests that there may be numerous factors involved in associated pain with depression. For one, individuals that are depressed may simply be more aware of physical pain. Often a depression can cause someone to be preoccupied with chronic pain whereas a person not suffering from depression would simply ignore it. There is also ample evidence that depression can lead to physical changes in the body. Common ailments such as headaches and back pain can feel more acute with depression. Often, people suffering from depression have digestive issues, and the actual digestion process seems to slow. Even seemingly innocuous pain in areas like the joints can worsen when accompanied by depression. Harvard Health Publications confirms in their article “Depression and Pain”, “The convergence of depression and pain is reflected in the circuitry of the nervous system. . . . Normally, the brain diverts signals of physical discomfort so that we can concentrate on the external world. When this shutoff mechanism is impaired, physical sensations, including pain, are more likely to become the center of attention.”
Therefore, treating depression is not only important for one’s mental well-being, but also a person’s physical well-being. Given the relationship, chronic pain is often treated jointly with depression. Contact Maureen Kritzer-Lange Psychotherapy if you or a family member are suffering from depression, and we will construct a treatment program aimed at both the physical and cognitive aspects of your condition.
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