Depression Hurts

Recent studies confirm the surprising link between depression and common aches and pains. Individuals with depression often suffer from chronic physical pain and chronic pain sufferers are frequently depressed.

However, most people suffering from major depression do not realize aches and pains are frequently symptoms of depression. And many doctors may not appreciate the link either.

At a May 2005 American Psychiatry Association meeting, a study found that 72 percent of depressed patients did not know physical pain was a common symptom -- in many cases, the major symptom. They waited more than 11 months on average to seek medical help, and it usually took five visits before their depression was correctly diagnosed.

Clearly, both patients and medical practitioners need to be alerted to the link. The longer a depression goes untreated, the more likely it will become chronic.

The most common physical complaints that accompany depression are gastrointestinal complaints, stomach pains, or headaches and backaches. Sleeplessness, chronic fatigue, and fibromyalgia are also common.

The inflammation associated with extended elevated cortisol may be related to complaints of chronic pain among depressed patients. However, researchers looking into neurological causes for the chronic pain have been unable to find one in brain scans. More likely causes are endocrinological, having to do with the effect of stress hormones on parallel disorders to depression.

Stress driven depression weakens people because long-term elevated cortisol levels undermine the immune system and makes sufferers more susceptible to illness and organ failure, like heart disease. There is a prevalent connection between depression and poor cardiac health

Anti-depressants have been demonstrated to help with chronic pain- or at the very least to help with sensitivity to pain- in some cases. So have many alternative antidepressant treatments, from St. John's Wort to regular exercise.