Unexplained general aches and pain are often the symptoms that patients first bring up before their primary care providers reach a depression diagnosis

Story by: Norton Healthcare; Reviewed by Crystal D. Narcisse, M.D. on June 28, 2023

Physical pain and depression often go together. Unexplained general aches and pain are often the symptoms that patients first bring up before their primary care providers reach a depression diagnosis.

Pain and other physical symptoms of depression can include:

• Chronic joint pain
• Pain in limbs and/or back
• Stomach or other gastrointestinal concerns
• Fatigue
• Sleep difficulty
• Changes in psychomotor activity (non-goal related behavior such as pacing, toe tapping or rapid talking)
• Appetite changes

“Depression can cause pain and pain can cause depression. The connection between pain and depression is rooted in biology,” said Crystal D. Narcisse, M.D., an internal medicine specialist and pediatrician with Norton Community Medical Associates – Hurstbourne primary care. “Chemical messengers in the brain, serotonin and norepinephrine, affect both pain and mood. Antidepressants that influence these neurotransmitters can effectively treat both depression and any associated pain.”

Also, cultural norms that associate emotions with women more than men, can make it more likely that men will talk about the physical symptoms of depression. Depression in men is more likely to lead to external symptoms such as violence, anger and substance abuse.

Your primary care provider can prescribe antidepressants and other mental health medication and may refer you to a psychiatrist or therapist.

Possible treatments that can help with pain as well as depression include:

• Antidepressants that influence the neurotransmitters shared by depression and pain.
• Talk therapy or counseling can help both conditions when they are intertwined.
• Techniques for reducing stress such as exercise, meditation, journaling , getting adequate sleep and developing coping skills.

For some men, asking for help can be difficult. Starting with your primary care provider rather than a mental health specialist may be easier. Depression is unlikely to go away on its own and may get worse. Treatment, however, can improve symptoms and make your life better as well as the lives of those around you.

Asking for help when you need it is a sign of strength.