Are Depression & Your Immune System Connected?

Takeaways:

• Research shows that depression can lead to physical illness, including stomach pain, headaches, constipation, and more.
• The physical effects of depression can also result in increased risk of developing chronic conditions, like diabetes or heart disease.
• Managing the symptoms of your depression can mitigate physical symptoms and improve the overall health of both mind and body.

Can Being Sad Make You Sick?

While many people think of depression as a purely mental concern, causing feelings of hopelessness and sadness, it can also cause physical effects. Sometimes, these issues may resolve on their own, but in many cases, untreated depression can increase the risks of serious medical conditions.

If you’re wondering about the link between depression and autoimmune concerns, learn more about what you can expect when you read this blog from the experts at Ascend.

Why Depression Causes Physical Symptoms

Depression is categorized as a mood disorder characterized by loss of interest and persistent sadness. However, it’s about a lot more than just feeling sad. The biochemical changes in the brain that cause depression can also be behind the rise of physical symptoms, including:

• Neuroinflammation: This protective immune reaction causes the release of chemicals called cytokines. These chemicals are inflammatory compounds that are able to penetrate the blood-brain barrier and affect the production of dopamine and serotonin.

• Cholinergic Hyperactivity: Depression can cause an overactive cholinergic system resulting in excessive or uncontrolled muscle contractions, increased heart rate, and disruptions in digestion. People who struggle with depression may have frequent stomach aches, muscle spasms, or high blood pressure.

• HPA Axis Dysregulation: This system is responsible for controlling the body’s stress responses. If the HPA axis is out of control, it can produce too much cortisol, which can cause weight gain, high blood pressure, and weakened immune responses.

As you can see, being sad can make you sick, as all these systems are interconnected.

Common Physical Symptoms of Depression

Depression and autoimmune responses, brain chemistry, and inflammation are all linked. Here are some physical responses that show how being sad can make you sick:

• Headaches: Dysregulated serotonin and dopamine production can increase migraine and headache occurrences.

• Fatigue: Serotonin and norepinephrine affect mood and energy. When they’re out of balance, you’ll feel more tired.

• Difficulty Sleeping: Too much acetylcholine is a common result of depression and causes disruptions to the circadian rhythm.

• Chronic Pain: Depression affects the chemicals that signal pain. Disruption of cytokines can increase your sensitivity.

• Heart Issues: High cortisol can cause vasoconstriction, which contributes to high blood pressure. You may also experience palpitations and abnormal heart beats.

• Stomach Issues: High cortisol also affects your gut biome and digestive tract. The gut-brain axis is crucial to regulating your digestion!

Some people also experience loss of appetite and more instances of getting the flu and colds.

The Answer

Can being sad make you sick? The answer is yes — and many of these symptoms can worsen when your depression is unmanaged. If you or a loved one is experiencing psychological or physical symptoms of depression, it’s time to discuss next steps with your healthcare provider. They may recommend weekly therapy, residential treatment, or an outpatient program.

With a proper diagnosis, start on your journey to better mental and physical health.