For several months I have felt a general weakness of the body, even a physical weakness. I am a rather slim and physically active person, so I cannot explain it with the lack of fitness. I feel many other gastric ailments - pains in the area of the stomach, intestines, left hypochondrium, flatulence. I also suffer from knee joints, wrists and Achilles tendons. My family doctor suggested severe neurosis and depression. Can neurosis really be the cause of these ailments? I consider myself satisfied with my life and I would never have suspected that I am depressed.
The GP may be right. In depression, and especially in neuroses, many different bodily ailments can appear. As for depression - there is even the term "depression without depression" - when there is no apparent deterioration in mood, and various somatic complaints come to the fore. Then the infinitely multiplied tests show nothing special, treatment of symptoms gives little, only treatment with an antidepressant helps. The fact that you have never suffered from depression before does not mean that it cannot appear, also in an unusual form. If the physical background of the symptoms has been ruled out - it remains to try non-addictive antidepressants.
Remember that our expert's answer is informative and will not replace a visit to the doctor.
Tomasz JaroszewskiSecond degree psychiatrist
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