Lots of depressed people masquerade as happy people with happy lives. And many of those people don’t even know they’re depressed. Plus, some of them are afraid to admit it due to pride or a fear of the stigma.
The thing is that depression is extremely common. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 350 million people in the world are affected by depression. In fact, it’s the leading cause of disability worldwide. And depression strikes more women than men.
The question is: Are you depressed? Check out these six surprising signs of depression.
You ache.
According to Prevention, researchers say that roughly three-quarters of those who are struggling with depression also struggle with chronic pain. This is because depression and pain have something in common: space. They use the same biological pathways and neurotransmitters.
So what are some common physical symptoms of depression? According to Web MD, those with depression often experience headaches. Plus, back pain, muscle aches and joint pain may be present. Depression also can cause stomach upset or constipation and even chest pain.