When a person experiences depression, changes affect not only emotions and thinking but also the entire body. The body starts functioning differently, although at first glance, this may not always be obvious. Unlike diseases that can be identified by clear symptoms, the physical manifestations of depression are more vague. They do not provide a definite answer but help refine the diagnosis and understand how deeply the condition affects the body.
Blood pressure and bodily reactions
When a person lacks strength and motivation, when every action requires enormous effort, it is reflected in physiology. Blood pressure in depression often increases, and the difference between systolic and diastolic pressure – the so-called pulse pressure – changes significantly. It can reach 40-50 mmHg. Additionally, many people develop a reddish tint in their eyes, and their pupils behave unusually.
There is an interesting phenomenon: if a person with depression is shown a sad image, their pupils will first dilate and then begin to contract. Normally, when focusing on something, the pupils immediately shrink, but in depression, there is a brief dilation – as if the body instantly reacts to a sad image.
Disturbed color perception
Some people with depression literally see the world in gray and dull shades. This is not just a subjective feeling – studies show that changes in brain chemistry can indeed affect color perception. If such individuals are given a color perception test (such as the Ishihara plates), their responses may be incorrect, as depression alters their ability to perceive shades.
Changes in appetite and body weight
People with depression typically lose weight, but sometimes the opposite happens – they develop an uncontrollable appetite. The issue is not just about food but how the body perceives satiety. Often, a person does not feel the desire to eat but experiences a physiological need. If asked what they would prefer – something sweet or salty, meat or vegetables – they will likely be indifferent. This unconscious apathy is related to the fact that depression diminishes emotional responses to taste.
Many people with depression feel full very quickly. They eat just enough to meet their basic physiological needs but do not derive pleasure from eating. A typical person might finish a dessert even if they are no longer hungry simply because it tastes good. In depression, this does not happen – a person consumes only the minimum amount of food needed to sustain themselves.
Interestingly, appetite often increases in the evening. This is because, in depression, a person’s well-being usually improves slightly at night, and the body becomes more active, including in eating habits. However, unlike healthy individuals who skip breakfast due to lack of time, a depressed person may lack appetite even on a day off.
Sleep as an indicator of depression
Sleep disturbances are one of the key symptoms of depression. Typically, a person falls asleep normally but wakes up earlier than planned – 3-4 hours too soon. They may lie in bed, but sleep does not return. As a result, they do not feel rested in the morning and experience constant drowsiness throughout the day.
Interestingly, the severity of depression can be determined by how much sleep is reduced. The earlier a person wakes up and the worse they feel in the morning, the deeper their depressive state. If sleep duration starts to normalize, this is a good sign – it means the psyche is beginning to recover. However, even months or years after recovering from depression, sleep patterns may not fully return to normal.
Sleep problems appear before a person realizes their condition. If asked how they feel, they may say they are fine, but at the same time, they will admit that they wake up earlier than usual for no reason. This disruption in sleep is often the first warning sign of developing depression.
Body temperature and biological rhythms
Body temperature fluctuates throughout the day. It is lower in the morning and rises by about 1 degree Celsius in the evening. This is a natural process related to metabolism: as the day progresses, people move more, burn energy, and their body temperature increases. The lowest temperature is observed around 4-5 AM, while the highest is around 5-6 PM.
However, in depression, these daily fluctuations may disappear. The body stops responding properly to biological rhythms, and temperature remains roughly the same throughout the day. This is another physiological indicator that can indirectly point to a depressive state.
Conclusion
Depression is not just an emotional condition. It affects the entire body: altering perception, appetite, sleep, body temperature, and circulation. These changes often go unnoticed, but when viewed together, it becomes clear that depression is a state that impacts not only the psyche but also physiology. The sooner these signs are recognized, the easier it will be to address the problem and help a person return to their normal rhythm of life.
Sometimes one conversation is enough to understand the source of discomfort. If you want to discuss possible treatment or better understand your feelings, book a consultation at the Plexus center in Warsaw — here you’ll be seen by a psychiatrist who speaks Polish and Russian.