I think my depression is causing physical illness?

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10 Comments

I don't know if this is possible but here's whats up:
I've had depression for a while now... I'm not really sure how long because during the school year I think I was just passing it off as stress... but definitely the whole summer.
Anyway, weird physical things have been happening (mostly in the head area) such as; head aches, going deaf in my ear/ringing noise, and the newest- hearing my pulse in my ear.
yeah I know, that sounds like a tumor right?
But I went to the doctor and he said he is pretty sure there is nothing wrong. And every time I have been to the doctor about one problem, that problem goes away and a new one arrives.
I have thought about this: maybe I'm just a hypochondriac and these things are in my head? but how can I be actually experiencing these things if they are not real?
So my question is do you think it is possible that my depression is causing problems to my physical health? Like maybe psychologically, my brain is trying to create physical symptoms to represent my mental illness (which would also explain why every time the doctor says one thing is okay, something new happens) ?
or is this not possible? I only have a basic understanding of psychology so anyone who is educated with this stuff or has experienced this please let me know what you think?
(p.s- no one knows I have depression)

Voting Results
80% Normal
Based on 35 votes (28 yes)
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Comments ( 10 )
  • seakelp
    9 years ago

    It's documented that depression can cause physical illness. I'd try and address your depression. Seek out a therapist and talk to your doctor about potential anti-depressants.

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  • thegypsysailor
    9 years ago

    Depression can certainly lead to physical, life threatening illnesses, heart disease being one. So you are going to have to do something asap or you could be throwing your life away.

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  • Short4Words
    9 years ago

    Coming from a person whose suffered anxiety and depression I recommend you try to avoid anti-depressants, especially for how benign some of your sensations are. I would just go to therapy and try something called cognitive behavioural therapy. It helped me get started on recovery. I realize that no one is the same, but after my experiences with anti-depressants I would recommend the utmost caution in taking them. Anyway, just focus on therapy and take your mind of your ailments they are exactly as you say, they just seem to appear and disappear, just bi-products of this illness that will fade away as soon as you get some proper help.

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    • Anonymous Post Author
      9 years ago

      ugh idk about therapy. It's something I've considered but every time I really consider it I just think of all the reasons why I shouldn't. But maybe when I start school I will go to the school therapist or something. It's really not a conversation I want to have with my parents right now.

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      • Short4Words
        9 years ago

        What are your reasons?

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        • Anonymous Post Author
          9 years ago

          there are too many to discuss

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          • Short4Words
            9 years ago

            Well if you ever do, I'm all ears.

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  • Nokiot9
    9 years ago

    Shit started happening to me this year with my new gf. Still learning how to deal with her bs. Formed a nervous tic. I clench my jaw hard as hell like all the time unconsciously especially when I sleep. It causes these debilitating headaches and makes it impossible for me to chew food and swallow. So now I gotta wear this stupid mouth guard to keep me from biting my tongue off in my sleep.it helps a lot, but doesn't fix it completely. Somebody needs a bitch-ectomy for that to happen.

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  • polina.janisevska
    9 years ago

    This is possible but also likely it may be a hallucination caused by your mind. I suffered from mild depression which only lasted for about 2 or 3 days and I thought I was getting physically ill with a headache and loss of appetite. Later I resumed back to my normal self and all of these problems were gone so I think my mind was playing tricks on me, causing me to think I was physically ill when infact it was all down to the depression

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    • Ellenna
      9 years ago

      You're totally misusing the term "depression" if you said it only lasted for 2 or 3 days, that's not depression, that's just having a few down days or maybe a hangover. For even mild depression to be diagnosed there has to be at least two weeks of unbroken sadness, apathy, change in appetite, change in sleep patterns and so on.

      This sort of misinformation minimises the severity of true depression, which isn't over in a matter of days or in some cases, ever.

      OP is depressed and worried enough about her/his physical manifestations of it to ask a question here, but not yet ready to do anything about it. I can't think of any good reasons for not even checking out therapy - therapists don't make you stay if you need to stop the process, you know.

      The longer h/she puts off doing something about it, the more entrenched the depression will become and the harder it will be to recover.

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