The Surprising Physical Effects of Depression and Anxiety

After hearing this Im surprised Im still alive. 🥴🥴🤦🏼‍♂️🤦🏼‍♂️🤦🏼‍♂️

So validating thank you I have only been sleeping 2-3 hours a night for three months now creates utter havoc. Nobody seems to believe I’m really not sleeping either think you exaggerate

Between hot flashing and anxiety now i wake up alot now 600 is sleeping in

When my mental health is in a bad state I get so much muscle tension that my sleep quality suffers and I feel like crap in the morning. Even when I have a few hours of free time in the evening, my neck is constantly in pain and I can't do the things I enjoy that typically alleviate my stress. It's like a domino effect towards a downward spiral.

The problem with keeping regular exercises is, my insomnia really gets in the way. Like, when I got only 2-3 hours of sleep, it's really hard to exercise without feeling dizzy and weak. I also have this anxious thought of having heart attack if I exercise with only 2 hours of sleep.

I definitely relate to the sleep issues, anxiety/worrying, exhaustion, and some digestive issues, though I don't eat poorly .

Just today, it was all I could do to complete a small project I started yesterday. I had to break it up throughout the day, or I would have given up. I'm really hoping to see somebody in the very near future, if I can, and don't chicken out.

Thanks for all your videos (and the book). I haven't read it yet, but it's next on my reading list.😊

Elevated cortisol levels, due to chronic stress create extrapyramidal symptoms (arms and legs shaking). Been trough this - not fun. You think you're going crazy.

im severely malnourished, dissociated, and suffering from excessive paradoxical physical and somatic symptoms. my will to live has been taken by constant panic, chronic insomnia, and severe anhedonic depression. i’m tired of trying to kill myself, how do i reverse all of this with no energy or baseline cognitive skills to be consistent?

Everything you are saying is exactly me. Everything single thing.

I see people laughing and enjoying those around them. What did they do that I didn’t!

Love you 👍🙏❤️😂

I knew some of this, but didn't realize so much of it! The exhaustion thing I figured. Always exhausted! Even though I take meds to sleep, still always exhausted. And yeah, feel like absolute crap most of the time. That feeling of just not feeling "right". I was actually starting to wonder if maybe that's just how everyone feels at all times cause I can't remember not feeling this way.

Have been in therapy and on medication for both anxiety and depression since 2018. Have taken so many medications (Effexor, Wellbutrin, Lexapro, Luvox, Gabapentin, Concerta, Vyvanse, Auvelity, Lunesta, Quviviq) most of the time in some kind of combination. Still take Effexor, Vyvanse, Gabapentin and Quviviq for antidepressants, focus, binge eating and sleep. Just recently finished Auvelity which I was really hopeful would help. Was on it a couple months, doctor didn't want to keep me on it too long plus it's so difficult to take and not feel "drunk"! At night it's one thing, at work is a whole different story. So next step, if I decide to try it, is esketamine. Considering Auvelity is supposed to work very similarly, I don't know if I have much hope for it. And short of going through some kind of physical treatment (TMS, ECT, etc) which I'm not interested in, unless they come out with something else it's pretty much the last thing to try.

So what I don't get though is if anxiety and depression are actually illnesses, and not just a personality or moral defect (as I'm told by family), why don't meds work? Or if they do a little, it's short lived. Sometimes I wish I was bipolar cause at least then there are the manic episodes where I'd feel some kind of happiness! That's more sarcasm than being serious, I know I should be thankful that I don't have that. But some joy and energy would be welcomed. All the low, none of the high just sucks! 😞 Guess will see what my doctor says when I see him in February.

I'm always perturbed when I go through prolonged periods of physical unwellness AND depression... Which causes which. It's just really really tough when you're mentally unwell and physically at the same time. And you can't explain to people what's going on with yourself. It's horrible.

I have epilepsy.. didn’t start having seizures until I was 24, and the only thing I can see that is directly linked to them are my stress levels, depression and anxiety, they allll affect the how often I have a seizure it seems.I’ve tried alllll the meds it seems, and as a last ditch effort to treat them I had a VNS stimulator implanted six years ago.. not much help there unfortunately, but may help w the severity if anything.
Is this something you’ve experienced in your practice?

I gotten raped a couple times in my life. I cut my arm because of psychosis. Battled childhood depression. My mom called me eeyore as a kid. Had psychosis as kid that wasn't taken care of. Was in resource as kid. Didn't have many friends. Felt isolated in highschool. As a teenager I had a vision that the whole world was burning. Have had several near death experiences. Gotten into a really bad car accident. Wanted to kill myself with achohol. I have no good friends now to support me. Also my therapist thinks I am joke. So many shitty therapists over my life. Been homeless. Nearly froze to death outside. May have had heat stroke. Glad to be alive. Surviving because of Jesus.

Every thing you said…..everything. I have and am currently experiencing. I feel hopeless, unable to make changes. I’ve had
Depression Anxiety PTSD and am currently experiencing the grief of my daughter cutting me out of her life. It’s not 100% but pretty close.
It’s been a year and a half now, I’ve been respectful and let her set the boundaries for contact. But the pain is so bad that it’s become physical. I feel it in my chest. It’s an actual physical pain.
At this exact moment I would contract for safety but last week I began putting my affairs in order. I’ve made lists, started writing letters and started the process of getting rid of my excess possessions. I’ve been here before but not like this.
If I had the money I would travel to Amsterdam because I know I could petition for compassionate end of life services.
Yesterday I felt okay and even got some errands run but today I can’t lift my arms.
I have always held the thought that if you just hold on it gets better, but I’m struggling with it today.
I’m not looking for feedback or comments to my post. I just want to share where I’m at today.
Thank you for the informative and affirming video. You told my story. ❤

Breathing is really hard...

My problem with sleep is that it takes me ages to get to sleep but then when I do I sleep for like 10 hours. Then I feel so sluggish all day. If I need to get up earlier I can but I'll be exhausted and getting brain fog later and end up having a two or three hour nap. Then my sleep that night is all messed up. So I can't win either way :/

I have most of those conditions started when my wife was diagnosed with cancer now she’s gone and I miss having her there to support me I can barely function it’s a living hell insomnia is terrible I feel terrible for you have stomach issues people just don’t understand what it’s like unless they have been through it god bless you 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

Scott you have basically described most of my 'life' for the last 30 or so years! Specifically the last 4. Everything you said rings through for me sadly ☹ I now take an OTC sleeping pill some nights because if I don't sleep evades me completely 🙃 it is a vicious circle because we are anxious if we don't sleep and then when we do sleep we are worried we will sleep in so wake up 3 maybe 4 times in the night...you get my drift? My circadian rhythm is through the roof! So yes, thank you for posting this video...you have helped me more than you know.

I could not have described my life better than this video did. Ugh

Yes! Anxiety and depression does affect my physical health. That is a no brainier, but how do I fix the anxiety and depression?

Ive dealt with depression, insomnia, hyper vigilance, self harm, disassociation, numbness, apathy amd honestly being alive is a death sentence in a world full of Stockholm syndrome sheep

My anxiety started to kick in back in 2019 caring for my parents took its toll on me I lost a lot of weight over a short space of time . My mum died in 2020 and dad in 2021 , my anxiety has been of the scale . Over the last two years chronic depression and grief . I've now been diagnosed with COPD ex smoker , I feel so deflated like I just can't win and scared for the future 😞

I've had insomnia for 5 years, but I'm able to sleep normally for a year now, yet I still feel my brain has not fully recovered 😢

Dr. Scott, I am a new subscriber and so thankful I found you. Your videos almost always help me in some way but this one, I truly felt you were talking about me. I have experienced all the things (except insomnia). I had a seizure in 2016 at my desk at work and I have had sooo many diagnosis since then. I go between having zero feelings about anything at all to obsession about what is wrong with me and how to fix it. From time to time I have wondered if my severe depression and anxiety with hypersomnia had anything to do with my physical health. Thank you so much for finally answering that question for me. I plan to take this information to my PCP and therapist and see what they suggest. Bless you for all you do for so many...

Man I love you. I have been struggling with bpd and depression for over 15 years now and you describe some of my feelings perfectly. Feeling like Im living on burrowed time, feeling like Im aging faster, like my fire is consuming more every day the the fires of others. My skin heals slower and Im in a constant state of exhaustion. Some little things can be enough and the house of cards falls into itself.

I really appreciate your channel and your words, best wishes form somewhere on this planet :)

Been dealing with this far back as16yrs old 51now this sh t sux I ether sleep a week r I'm up for a week can't hold job get so depressed it wears u out like u worked a month straight I have no choice but take a nap nobody nows bout this unless u have it this is one sob I'd love to kick his ass just hear n negative words make me sick to my stomach I puk

I’m watching this at 3am!! Thank you so much-everything is making sense to me regarding how physically “off” I’ve been feeling. I’ve found it incredibly helpful and will be going walking tomorrow plus making the first appointment with a therapist.

This so clearly describes me. To try to tell anyone how I feel is so hard. I think I sound like a lazy, hypochondriac. And also it seems unfair to inflict myself on people, even my friends.

Thank you for this video. Absolutely spot on.

Been hospitalized for depression and anxiety.
Ocd severe.
Worked on myself, but i forget and need to get back to work. Where does on dig up motivation

I never would have known all of these if not for this video. Thank you!

Finally this all makes sense! I lost 12lbs in two months with no explanation. My dr ran many tests..nothing. So tired I could hardly function. Hot one minute cold the next. So nauseous had to lay down. Didn’t vomit or have upset stomach. The smell of food made me sick. I was in a severe bipolar depressive episode. Physically didn’t want to or couldn’t do anything. This lasted for months. I never connected the dots. Possibly just wasn’t in the right state of mind to realize what could be causing it. My meds were changed about the time it started. Sick with anxiety. Panic attacks every day.

💯 😢 He explains it so perfectly!

Today was the first day that me anxiety ever made me nauseous! I also vomited … I hope it really is a bug or something I ate and not a new symptom. I had plans for my job today and this feeling completely incapacitated me!
Please G-D help me … I thought I was getting better and now 😮😢

FML

Please i am reaching out because i cant hndle not being able yo function novmal.

Thank you! From someone that has lived this since high school in mid 1980's, everything you mentioned has been a part of my life at some point, even a trip to the ER because I felt my lungs were just pumping air but not doing anything with it. Turned out to be just severe anxiety. It's a daily battle for happiness and health for anyone dealing with this. For me, starting a daily routine work out program, has helped start a path to a somewhat normal life. Nice to hear you confirm what was always in the back my mind why I feel the way I do. Just hearing this I'm sure will resonate with others the way it did with me, just try it, nothing to lose at this point but the daily anxiety.

Everything you talked about is my everyday. Its so hard and such a struggle. And todays economy makes it worse.
Never going to the ER again either! Only to be told with a smile that " great news, all your tests look great!" And sent home.

This is nov 2023..the last time i had a full night of sleep was mar 2016. My husband had a stoke and for 14 months i took care of him. He is with the LORD. My life is full of depression and stress. My whole body is suffering like you said. Don't know how to get out of this except death.

Wow - this is so absolutely accurate. I needed to hear this. Thank you

I can be helped?

My 33 yr old son suddenly developed a seizure disorder when his dad almost died in horrible vehicle accident. He had the 1st seizure at the hospital. Then a few months later his dad almost died again and he had another seizure AT THE HOSPITAL. Can seizures be induced by extreme stress??

Please don't tell me to take pills what can you take in a vitamins to take 😊

Your vids should be mandatory viewing for everyone. It would increase the level of understanding, tolerance, and sympathy that is need by those dealing with a mental health issue. Alcoholics deal with all the symptoms mentioned in this vid as well, speaking from experience.

The loss of appetite when constantly anxious can be such an issue, a few months ago I went through an episode of severe anxiety and anxiety/panic attacks caused by serious hypertension that I didnt know that I had. I lost 20kg (44lbs) in less than a month. I kind of needed to lose those lbs anyway so I'm not totally unhappy about it but it definitely wasn't a healthy way to lose weight. When feeling highly anxious I just can not eat I don't even want to see food, I can go 2 or 3 days without eating a thing and still not feel hungry in the slightest. But when you're malnourished your body's various systems aren't getting the fuel and nutrients they need to function correctly, your whole body becomes stressed and weakened and it's going to add to your anxiety, you have to force yourself to consume something healthy and balanced regularly, I find those on the go liquid breakfast drinks are easy to drink, and i make my own healthy smoothies I blend oat milk, a banana, some natural unsweetened yogurt, dried goji berries, chia seeds, flax seed meal, and a handful of mixed nuts, even if I have no appetite I can manage to sip away on one of these and after I've finished it just knowing that I just consumed something highly nutritious for my body actually makes me feel better about myself and lessens my anxiety a lot.

I’m 71 and I’ve never left a comment although I listen to many talks on utube about the human nature. I also don’t throw around the “I love you” statement.

However, I have fallen instantly in love with this good man’s words. Thank You!