Depression Headache Explained
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Defined Tag: Depression Headache.

Headache medicines are so common and powerful nowadays that a lot of people don’t even consider seeing a doctor about their headaches. After all, if the medication makes your headache disappear, why bother? But if you suffer from headaches every day, all day, it could be a sign that something more is going on. One possibility is depression.

Many people don’t realize that depression includes physical symptoms such as persistent headaches. In fact, many people who suffer from depression also suffer from a headache that seems to never go away, from the time they wake up to the time they go to sleep at night. While taking over-the-counter medications to relieve the pain may seem like a good idea, it doesn’t help in the long run.

It’s hard for a lot of people to realize or admit that they may be suffering from depression. Nowadays it is known that more people suffer from depression than doctors thought, so if you feel you may be depressed, remember that you’re not alone, and there is help available. If your doctor is aware of the symptoms of depression, he or she may identify it quickly, helping you on your way to a solution. However, some doctors still believe that depression is just a "sadness" and may, therefore, not recognize the physical symptoms like continuous headaches.

Other symptoms of depression may include:

- sleep disturbances, such as sleeping too much, insomnia or waking up too early
- eating disturbances, such as eating far more or far less than usual
- smoking or drinking too much
- lack of enjoyment in favorite activities
- change in level of sexual desire

If you suffer headaches and are diagnosed with depression, don’t let your doctor or anyone else tell you that your headaches are all in your head. (Well, they are, but not in that way.) Even in depressed patients, headaches are perfectly real.

Many depressed people also find that their headaches occur at certain times of day --  frequently in the evening or very early in the morning. The most common type of depression-related headache is similar to a tension headache, and may in fact be caused by the same factors. Many people suffering from depression tend to tense their neck and jaw, which tightens the muscles in those areas. This sort of prolonged muscle contraction leads to pain in the neck and head, as if there is a band of pressure around the head.

While over-the-counter medications may work, for many people these are not enough to treat a depression-related headache. Ask your doctor which medication might be best for you. Treating the depression using antidepressants or other methods such as biofeedback or acupuncture may work to relieve the headaches as well.

If you suspect your headaches may be a sign that you are depressed, make sure you bring it up, and don’t let your doctor dismiss it out of hand. It’s your health, and your body; look after it and it will reward you by feeling good.

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