Because of their overlapping areas of cause and effect, the symptoms of depression, anxiety and stress can all be quite similar. However, some individualism does occur.
Depressive symptoms
- Loss of interest in everyday activities
- Sleep disturbances
- Impaired thinking
- Weight loss or gain
- Slow body movements
- Fatigue
- Low self-esteem
- Loss of sexual interest
- Hopelessness and pessimism
- Worthlessness
- Loss of interest in activities
- Restlessness and irritability.
Physical symptoms of depression can include:
- Generalized itching
- Blurred vision
- Excessive sweating
- Dry mouth
- Gastrointestinal problems (indigestion, constipation and diarrhea)
- Headache and backache.
- Anxiety symptoms
These can include the above, plus any of the following:
- Uncontrollable feelings of persistent worrying
- Restlessness and difficulty relaxing
- Difficulty in concentrating
- Feeling shaky
- Restless sleep.
Physical symptoms of anxiety can include:
- Headaches
- Joint pains
- Breathlessness
- Palpitations
- Tightness in your chest
- Dry mouth
- Sweating
- Flushing
- Nausea
- Stomach pains
- Increased heart rate
- Feeling dizzy or light-headed
- Paranoia.
- Stress symptoms
These can either be physical or psychological, or both, and can include:
- Shakiness
- Hyperventilation
- Vomiting
- Irritability
- Anxiety
- Irrational behaviour
- Loss of appetite or comfort eating
- Increased smoking, drinking or recreational drug taking.
Physical effects include:
- Excessive tiredness
- Skin problems
- Aches and pains
- Heart palpitations.
