[kvisatzhaderach]

Hi folks,

Just wondering if the sensations I experience are familiar to anybody else. When I'm particularly down, I experience physical aches and pain in just one place, and this is the only time it happens. It starts in the muscles above my pectorals, right where it meets the collarbone, and aches all the way down the inside of my arms, ending with just my thumbs. Its a very strange feeling.

Anybody ever heard of/experienced this?

Thanks!

[tutitaylor]

Hi and Welcome! I can't say I have had aches the way you do, but when I am depressed I sometimes get achy all over like I am getting the flu. I hope that helps. Also, have you ever mention this to your pdoc? there could be a reason for this that your doc would know. Tuti

[Brokenwings73]

I get severe body aches when I get depressed. Usually in my back legs and neck. My personal belief is when your down your body picks up on it and goes into a flight state and just in it's own way telling you what you need. When I start aching really badly in a depressive state I speak with my pdoc and see if I need a temporary med adjustment to help my depreion and get me moving. Once I get a little more motivated and move some more the aches start to subside.

Have you been to your GP/PCP to see if there is a physical cause for this as it is so specific?

I personally get achy all over when depressed, like Tuti said. I've found 10mg Amitriptyline very helpful for the pain and improving my sleep. If no physical cause is found, maybe you could consider this if it bothers you?

All the best,

*Willow*

[Maria38Divine]

When my depression was particularly bad, I felt weak all over. There were also times when walking was difficult (like to the point of almost toppling over or not being able to walk in a straight line sometimes). Your pain is worth checking out though - just to ensure there is nothing physically wrong.

[pinkfloyd_kay]

Originally Posted by Maria38Divine

There were also times when walking was difficult (like to the point of almost toppling over or not being able to walk in a straight line sometimes).

I do that all the time. I've never really considered it an effect of depression, though, so this is interesting.

Usually it's just my back—I can't even change positions without experiencing really bad pain in my lower back. It's also occasionally my legs but that's just the way I sit

[kvisatzhaderach]

This may be a silly thing to ask, but what kind of doctor is a "pdoc"? I'd mentioned the ache when I had counseling sessions, but he didn't have any answers.

Pdoc is psychiatrist; T is therapist; Tdoc is psychologist; PCP is primary care physician, which is the same as GP, general practitioner. Hope that helps!

I would mention the pain to both your GP and Pdoc to check whether it is a side effect of medication or a physical problem. A T/Tdoc will not have any medical experience usually and do not prescribe meds.

*Willow*

[hahalebou]

I was just about to ask something similar to this. Whenever I'm depressed, usually I'm high-functioning but very teary and self-destructive. The symptoms were all mental, not physical at all.

Just recently I've started to experience the physical symptoms of depression, such as hypersomnia, muscle-stiffness, and flu-like aches. Last episode I spent two full days in bed, either sleeping or crying. Now I'm experiencing many physical symptoms of depression (headaches, stiffness, sleepiness) but very few mental symptoms. Is that normal?

Originally Posted by hahalebou

Just recently I've started to experience the physical symptoms of depression, such as hypersomnia, muscle-stiffness, and flu-like aches. Last episode I spent two full days in bed, either sleeping or crying. Now I'm experiencing many physical symptoms of depression (headaches, stiffness, sleepiness) but very few mental symptoms. Is that normal?

It could be depression, it could be side effects of medication, or it could be a physical illness. You should visit your GP/PCP to rule out a physical cause and medication side effects.

*Willow*

[sewerrats]

your run down , it comes with the package called depression.

[Suki22]

talk to your doc for sure, but then go get a massage!

[Mylifeisdepressing]

No, but I get chills. And sometimes headaches.

[sewerrats]

Originally Posted by Mylifeisdepressing

No, but I get chills. And sometimes headaches.

thats because your hole body is run down, your open to all virus,s thats flying about . You are shattered every bone in your body ache,s its normal

[ExiExi]

Yes, physical aches come as standard option here.
Bit I'm used to it.