For those of you who know me in any capacity, you know one of the biggest obstacles I fight in my daily life is severe clinical depression. I've had severe clinical depression ever since I was around 10 years old, and it just seems to get worse all the time. There are times it's manageable and times it's unbearable. I do what I can to manage but my life has put me in circumstances that I just can't handle it. Is it taking its toll on my health? You better believe it is.
For one, I normally only have cluster headaches for a 6-to-8 week period during the summer months. For those unfamiliar with CH's (my new subscribers and probably most of you Healthkicker people), CH's are the the single most painful type of headache a human being can suffer, and the worst pain condition known to medical science (though most sufferers are males, the females that get them say they hurt far worse than natural labor). Well, due to the stress and depression of having been laid off from my job (high school mathematics teacher) and trying to find another one unsuccessfully, I'm going on 13 weeks of CH's, and I went to see a neurologist about it and he said it's probably because I'm so stressed and depressed. It all makes perfect sense now.
My blood pressure is also running much higher than it already does, and it normally runs a bit high anyway (averages around 130/82 under normal conditions). Well...lately my BP has been running in the neighborhood of 150/95. Not good at all. I'm not doing anything different physically, my diet's not changed much or anything, however, so that leaves just the other two things: stress and depression. Again, this makes perfect sense. Stress invokes the "fight or flight" response. Depression makes you stressed from feeling depressed. It's a vicious cycle.
Also, I've completely lost my appetite for the most part and I have to force myself to eat a lot of the time. This "symptom" has got depression written all over it. It's one of the classic symptoms of clinical depression. This may not seem like a huge problem but in reality it is. When I don't eat I do drop weight quickly (not good), and when I actually eat it comes straight back. It creates a yo-yo effect which is definitely not good for you.
A couple of other random notes, I've become slightly anemic from depression, due to excessive bleeding. I am a "recovering" self-injurer but recent circumstances have really caused me to slip up like crazy. This is much a physical health issue as it is a mental health issue. I haven't cut myself in awhile, however, when I went to donate blood this last time my iron level was just a tiny bit too low (11.8, it's normally around 16.0 or so). It's also a battle for me to even pick up any of my musical instruments. The whole "losing interest in the things you love" is definitely true.
So do depression and stress really affect your physical health? Take it from me that you better believe it. So the next question is how do you cope? Well, the first thing anyone suggests is anti-depressant medication, however as you know, I don't really believe in anti-depressants. I took them for years and they didn't do a damn thing. Plus they have all sorts of nasty side-effects and can even INCREASE suicidal thoughts. If you're depressed, basically the best thing I can say is GET MOVING. Go out and play some golf or something (I've actually now got a membership at the local championship course...and I walk and carry clubs for maximum benefit). Get into an exercise program you enjoy. Try to go out and socialize if you can (very difficult for me, a person plagued with Aspergers as well...a mild form of Autism). As for what to avoid...for one, don't drown your problems in alcohol. This will make your depression worse, so definitely limit your alcohol intake. Stress eating is definitely something people struggle with. Eating too much slows your bodily functions, leaving you feeling depressed. Also avoid over-sleeping. Believe it or not, this is what often leads to the serotonin imbalance that has been linked to clinical depression.
Do you have clinical depression or are you living in a stressful time? Is it affecting your health, and if so, how?
Comments (22)
I have clinical depression. It's a real struggle especially when I have a severe episode .
I have clinical depression and being stressed is horrible for me. I have to try really hard to avoid becoming stressful or else it seems like my immune system becomes nonexistent =\
I have anxiety disorder. It affects my immune system andtriggers migranes and causes indigestion which makes it difficult to eat.
I'm not allowed to take antidepressants because I have bipolar disorder :( Apparently it would switch me into manic mood, which I would love, because I become more confident, productive and happy, but my family can't keep up with me when I'm like that and eventually I'd probably cross a line where I'm paranoid, hypersensitive and start having delusions.
I found exercise and eating well didn't help me much but taking my meds did. I recently went off them for about a month of my own accord and I was really depressed and lost a few friends who weren't very supportive of how I was feeling.
I hope you can find the right combination of things for you. I know what its like to wonder around in a state of hopelessness.
oh stress definitely affects MY physical health. I'm not a depressed person, I usually have a smile on my face, but I get stressed incredibly easily.
On friday, I collapsed at school in the toilets, couldn't see but decided I better go to the library I walked in and collapsed straight away in the library. I couldn't walk so the teachers and the nurse had to bring the wheelchair round, because there were steps I had to be supported by the nurse and my feet were shaking. I had a tingling sensation in my hands, and incredibly low blood pressure. Apparently, all symptoms of stress
& like you, in times of stress I lose my appetite. Not good for somebody as small as me.
It's not a permanent fixture though, it happens very randomly probably only 3 or 4 times in a particularly stressful year. Yeh. Word :)
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@roxandra@xanga - So you know exactly what it's like then? Not fun at all is it?
@EllaCheu@xanga - Hmmm. Yeah, I already have a compromised immune system as it is, because it's too busy attacking my thyroid gland (Graves' Disease). I know all about that. Of course GD and CH are just a couple of the health problems I have. I will admit I'm a whole mess of them.
@sick_of_dreams@xanga - As mentioned, I know about an affected immune system. I also am very sorry you have any type of headache at all. Clusters are absolute hell, but that doesn't mean migraines don't suck. If you want to know about what a cluster is like, multiply your migraine pain by about 100 and concentrate it just around the eye socket instead of on the whole side of your head (some CH patients have pain in their temples and down their neck though).
@xsteph_ox@xanga - Haha. I wonder what that would feel like at times (the mania part). I personally am not a huge fan of psychotropic medications (or any synthetic compound touted as "medication" to begin with, honestly...I'm pretty anti-Big Pharma), however, I hate to think of how much bigger of an asshole House would be without his vicodin. I was just throwing out some suggestions when it came to diet, exercise, and socializing, but you're right, for some people it just isn't enough. Thanks for your well-wishes however.
@yukarimayhem@xanga - Good to know that's not all that much. That's a pretty scary ordeal right there! Holy heck. That's interesting though that your BP does the opposite of mine. I guess we're all just different in our response to stress and our physiology though.
Yes, depression if pretty awful. Along with medications, I try to connect with others in same boat. One friend recommended a book that really made me feel not alone. It's about a woman's struggle with her depression. It's funny and honest. I really related to main character. It's called Cracked Teacups by B.E. Moore. Ask for it at your book store.
I am just getting over a very stressful two years of my life. I used to be a size 14. Once the stress started to develop, I had lost about 50 pounds in a year without even realizing it. I also developed many health related problems. Costochoindritis, ulcers in my cornea, weird things that wouldn't have happened otherwise. It was so bad that a lot of my family thought I was doing hard drugs. I know stress and depression are hard things to fight off. Especially if you are not taking any prescriptions. But they definitely do effect your physical health in negative ways.
Stress. Depression?. Anxiety. Yep, during the academic year, I get sick so easily because of it.
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responding to the question, yes i believe depression (doesnt matter how severe it is) does affect your physical appearance. depression makes you feel down and low thus you dont really want to make yourself look nice...cause you feel like your scum of the earth. it really does go hand in hand. always mental/emotional before physical at least for some people it is.
I think my depression affects my health, but I also think my health affects my depression. I have also dealt with clinical depression since I was 10, and I couldn't seem to shake this last episode until I started taking iron pills for slight anemia, which FINALLY gave me just enough energy to start exercising and continuing hobbies, which led to more energy and less depression overall. It took months for the full effect, but I can honestly say I feel relatively normal now (for the time being). I think though that my depression is actually a symptom of an autoimmune issue, but I'm having trouble finding decent doctors and keeping health insurance. In the meantime, I highly recommend those iron pills, and maybe some Vitamin D, haha.
I believe in anti-depressants, but I think most people should only take them for a short time--otherwise I feel like it's masking a bigger problem, like a hormonal imbalance or malnutrition, etc., and the science behind these drugs is relatively new. However, I do know a person with unique serotonin-production problems who benefits from constant medication--even though his treatment is imperfect, it's better than nothing, and it's given him his life back.
@eowynnabeeowyn@xanga - Iron pills and Vitamin D? I *do* et plenty of sun for the Vit-D, and I could probably use some iron to build back up my iron count.
I think mine does work both ways as well. Just waking up every day knowing I'm going to be in excruciating pain before too long (CH) is really a drag. Graves' Disease I know probably also complicates that. I really am a mess of problems and nothing helps the other thing.
Thanks for your suggestions, nonetheless.
i have clinical depression and anxiety disorder, i've only noticed migraines, exhaustion almost always, and eating habits are different. i probably got like 7 shades paler due to lack of sleep.
it's a real party, eh?
I lose a lot of sleep over my anxiety disorder. This makes me groggy and depressed. Eventually my social life and grades suffer, making me feel depressed and worthless.
If I can get out of the depression, I'm fine for a while as long as I don't feel stressed again.
I have mild but chronic depression. free-floating anxiety , which becomes hypochondria most of the time.
i attend an extremely academically competitive school and was so stressed. i was harassed all of last year by a group of "friends" and that made me reallyy stressed out and suicidal.
AND that definitely made my depression SO much worse. Physical symptoms increased dramatically and i had really bad eating habits. as in borderline, eating disorder. (etc, restricting/purging).
i also could never concentrate (somewhat better now), and i began sleeping like.... 12 or 13 hours a day i still felt sooo tired and sleepy all the time. i was horrible. even for teens, the recommended hours are 8-10. 9 is ideal.
i tried antidepressants and lied to my psych and said... "i feel better". but for what purpose??? now i am still depressed. eating disordered. stressed out. and antisocial.
GO BACK TO OUR GP AND ASK FOR ANOTHER ANTIDEPRESSANT!! or an add-on.
I took Zoloft once, which made me feel better. Then I felt suicidal after awhile and ws wondering how much worse I'd be if I wasn't on medication. One day I decided I didn't care if I killed myself or not, I was going off the medication. Within 3 days, I felt way better. I almost became a statistic.
I've had cluster headaches before...they are blinding...
Yes, I do. I have depression or whatever it is. And stress. It fucks you over. Real bad.
I'm sorry you have to deal with this little bag piper dude. I know how much it sucks.
yes, life gets very stressful sometimes. and yes, it does affect your health.
@cherrypopstar@xanga - you need to try a floatation tank http://www.floatworks.com chemcial free stress relief - you'll be amazed just how good it is - you feel like your mind has been given and spring clean - it's feel like you've been returned to your factory default settings - I'd recommend it to anyone.
I'm sorry you're having to deal with so much in your health, and glad that you are not giving up and calling it quits. As long as you're breathing you can do something about it, however small.
Stress & depression make a big difference for me - I lose motivation to get out of it (I stop going to gym, seeing friends, doing things I enjoy that de-stress me) and at the same time get tired, achy, and sick to my stomach. One of the most important things for me in staying healthy is beating stress & depression before they start, then having people in my life who remind me that I need to do something to get out of them once they hit, and who don't let me wallow in those feelings and that mental sickness.