How Depression Shows Up in Your Body

Depression is a whole‑body condition, not just “in your head,” and it often shows up physically as well as emotionally.

Common physical signs

• Low energy and fatigue that don’t improve much with rest.
• Sleep changes: trouble falling or staying asleep, very early waking, or sometimes sleeping much more than usual.
• Appetite and weight changes: eating much less or much more, with weight loss or gain.
• Unexplained aches and pains: headaches, back pain, joint or muscle pain without a clear medical cause.
• Digestive issues: nausea, constipation, diarrhea, or “nervous stomach.”
• Slowed or agitated movement and speech: moving or speaking more slowly than usual, or feeling restless and unable to sit still.​
• Reduced sex drive and changes in libido.

Why the body is involved

Depression affects brain chemicals like serotonin and norepinephrine, which influence both mood and how the body processes pain and stress, so emotional distress can be felt as real, physical discomfort.

When to seek help

• If these physical symptoms persist for more than a couple of weeks, interfere with daily life, or come with feelings of hopelessness or thoughts of self‑harm, it’s important to talk with a doctor or mental health professional.
• In the U.S., you can call or text 988 for immediate mental health support, or use national helplines that are available 24/7.​

If you’d like, tell me which of these body symptoms you’re most interested in (fatigue, pain, digestion, sleep, etc.), and I can help you craft a short educational post around it.

James Eckburg

REDOX HEALTH