Can depression make you feel sick
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Can Depression Make You Feel Sick?
Depression and Physical Symptoms
Depression, also known as major depressive disorder, is a psychiatric condition that significantly impacts mood, behavior, and overall health. While it is primarily considered a mental health disorder, depression can manifest with various physical symptoms. These include headaches, unexplained aches and pains, digestive problems, changes in appetite, and alterations in sleep patterns8. The physical manifestations of depression can make individuals feel physically ill, contributing to a general sense of malaise and fatigue2 8.
Depression and Sick Leave
The relationship between depression and sick leave is well-documented. Depression symptoms are strongly associated with an increased risk of taking sick leave. A systematic review found that individuals with depression are significantly more likely to take sick leave compared to those without depression, with a risk ratio of 1.521. This association is consistent across different methods of assessing depression and sick leave, highlighting the substantial impact of depression on work participation and functioning1 7.
Inflammatory Pathways and Sickness Behavior
Depression and sickness behavior share common inflammatory pathways. Sickness behavior, which includes symptoms like fatigue, malaise, and anorexia, is an adaptive response to infections and immune trauma, mediated by pro-inflammatory cytokines. These symptoms are phenomenologically similar to those of depression. In clinical depression, chronic inflammation can lead to progressive neural damage and cognitive decline, further exacerbating the physical symptoms associated with the disorder2. This overlap suggests that the physical sickness experienced during depression may be partly due to shared immuno-inflammatory mechanisms2.
Work-Related Factors and Depression
Work-related factors can also contribute to the onset and exacerbation of depression, leading to increased sick leave. Factors such as poor relationships with supervisors, high psychosocial risks, and work overload are significant contributors to depression in the workplace. These factors not only affect mental health but also lead to physical symptoms that can make individuals feel sick and unable to work3. Preventive interventions aimed at reducing these psychosocial risks and improving workplace relationships are crucial in mitigating the impact of depression on sick leave3.
Conclusion
Depression can indeed make individuals feel physically sick. The disorder's physical symptoms, such as headaches, digestive issues, and general malaise, are well-documented. Additionally, the shared inflammatory pathways between depression and sickness behavior further explain why individuals with depression often experience physical illness. The impact of depression on work participation and the role of work-related factors in exacerbating the condition underscore the need for comprehensive approaches to manage and mitigate the effects of depression on both mental and physical health.
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Most relevant research papers on this topic
Depression symptoms and risk of sick leave: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Depression symptoms are associated with increased sick leave, highlighting the need for increased attention to this issue.
Meta-Analysis
Rigorous JournalDepression and sickness behavior are Janus-faced responses to shared inflammatory pathways
Depression and sickness behavior are both adaptive responses to shared inflammatory pathways, with sickness behavior acting as a protective mechanism and clinical depression as a chronic disorder.
Rigorous Journal
Highly CitedFactors perceived by employees regarding their sick leave due to depression
Work-related psychosocial risk factors, individual experiences, and communication with supervisors are key factors in predicting and preventing depression in employees before they take sick leave.
Observational StudyThe PHQ-9: validity of a brief depression severity measure.
The PHQ-9 is a reliable and valid measure of depression severity, making it a useful clinical and research tool.
Observational StudyHighly CitedDepression and sickle cell disease.
Depression is common in patients with sickle cell disease, but the relationship between the two conditions is unclear and requires improved treatment.
Systematic ReviewThe PHQ-9
The PHQ-9 is a reliable and valid measure of depression severity, making it a useful clinical and research tool for assessing depression severity.
Observational StudyHighly CitedUvA-DARE ( Digital Academic Repository ) Factors Associated with Work Participation and Work Functioning in Depressed Workers : A Systematic Review
Depressed workers experience reduced work participation and work functioning, with factors like long duration of depressive episodes, co-morbid mental or physical disorders, and older age affecting these outcomes.
Systematic ReviewHighly CitedDepression
Depression can cause prolonged feelings of sadness, emptiness, or hopelessness, as well as changes in appetite, sleeping patterns, energy levels, and difficulty concentrating.
Highly CitedThe Patient Health Questionnaire-2: Validity of a Two-Item Depression Screener
The PHQ-2 is a reliable and valid two-item depression screening tool, with a score of 3 being the optimal cutpoint for screening purposes in primary care and obstetrics-gynecology settings.
Observational StudyHighly CitedDepression
Major depression is a complex, multifaceted illness with diverse presentations, unpredictable course, and variable response to treatment, making it difficult for clinicians to detect, diagnose, and manage effectively.
Rigorous JournalHighly Cited