September 10, 2022

How Depression and Anxiety could be manifesting in lesser known ways

There are far more signs of depression and anxiety than we know, according to Health Reporter. Following an extensive study, the health data analytic agency found that there are a lot of symptoms of depression and anxiety that have not gotten adequate attention.

Our decreasing mental health has been a topic of discussion for many decades, driven into the limelight again following the impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic.

According to New Zealand Community and Public Health, almost one-third of people in New Zealand have a personal experience of mental distress; Members of the LGBTQIA+ rainbow community are almost twice as likely to have a personal experience of mental distress (67 percent).

Mental distress affects many New Zealanders, and you’re always encouraged to seek professional help when you need it. However waiting for a big sign to ask for help may never come, instead try looking at smaller more minute ways your mental health could be trying to tell you something.

#1 Dry mouthmouth

The first unnoticed symptom is dry mouth. Xerostomia (reduced saliva production) is brought on by mouth breathing, anti-anxiety medications, and gastroesophageal reflux disease. It's estimated that 51% of people with anxiety and 47% with depression had xerostomia. It is important because the reduced salivary flow and xerostomia can lead to oral diseases like parotitis, cheilitis, candidiasis, periodontitis, and others.

#2 Increased touchinesstouchiness

Health Reporter also found that depression and anxiety increase touchiness. In the Sensa app survey, 47.34% of respondents indicated they felt touchy "quite often," and 11.91% stated they are touchy "nearly always." All kinds of emotions, which are continuously shifting for people with depression, might cause increased touchiness. For example, a depressed individual may swing from being irritable and annoyed to being touchy within the same hour.

#3 Physical painpain

The third and most unique symptom is physical pain. Depression can cause joint pain, limb pain, back pain, gastrointestinal problems, fatigue, and trouble sleeping. There is a biological link between mental illness and physical pain. As both pain and mood are controlled by serotonin and norepinephrine, transmitters that don't work right are linked to both depression and pain.

#4 Negative bodybody image

Negative body image is associated with depression and anxiety. There is a bidirectional relationship between depression and body image. Either depression worsens our sense of our bodies, or a distorted reflection promotes depression. Study shows that it is so prevalent that one-third of people who suffer from depression are unhappy with their reflections. Although most of us associate depression and anxiety with mental challenges and pain, the truth is that this condition has physiological consequences, too.

Although these disorders are diagnosed by psychiatrists after completing various tests, there are many physical symptoms that can warn you about your mental state. Most unusual warning signs consist of increased touchiness, negative body image, dry mouth, and even physical pain. If you experience these symptoms, we would urge you to track your mental state with more attention or even to consider visiting a specialist. Although most of us associate depression and anxiety with mental challenges and pain, the truth is that this condition has physiological consequences, too.