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does your depression manefest itself with physical symptoms?

Hi! Not sure where to start but looking for answers.  In college I did experience depression a few times but feel like it got better.  Over the past decade I've started to have some really bad physical issues such as: fatigue, muscle weakness, blurry vision, dropping things, tripping a lot, running into things, speech problems, brain fog and memory problems, lower back pain on one side of my body, numbness and tingling in my arms and legs, neck pain.  This is just a few of my problems.  Has anyone else experienced these things?  The last 2 doctors I've seen (regular doctors who haven't really talked to me, only listened to my list of symptoms) have told me they think it's depression but I don't feel depressed.  I've been depressed and know what it feels like and I don't believe I'm experiencing that now but am open to the possiblity but anti-depressants always make me feel sick (noxious, sick to my stomach, etc) so I don't want to take them unless I really know I need to take them.
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Avatar universal
Thank you for all the replys.  They are very helpful! :)

I just saw a neurologist but he wasn't very friendly and rushed me out the door.  He said he thinks I'm depressed :/  I haven't seen a psychiatrist yet because unfortunetely my insurance doesn't cover it but I think I want to go see one to know for sure because I feel like they would know more about whether I'm depressed or not than a neurologist.  I am getting an MRI done but the dr said that if it comes back normal he's going to prescribe me anti-depressants and I told him I would rather see a phystrist first before randomly taking meds for something I may not have :/

Once again, thank you for your responses :)
Helpful - 0
1291268 tn?1274810922
My depression always presented itself thru physical ailments/illness.
When the first psychiatrist I went to told me he thought i had depression I said 'No crap, if you felt as bad as I do for as long as I have you'd be depressed too'!
He was right of course, at least to the extent that antidepressants helped with my symptoms.
Your symptoms also suggest neurological symptoms so I would suggest you see a neurologist.
Do you see a psychiatrist?  If not you may wish to see one..they are trained in neurology and are best equipped to properly diagnose neurological problems.
Take care.
Helpful - 0
1666691 tn?1303754348
Some depressions show themselves more in the body then in your mood so it is possible however I would insist on proper testing to make sure its nothing else first.Lily
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Avatar universal
Is hard to know for sure.  Some may be stress/ anxiety-related.
There is an undiagnosed symptoms community forum which may also be able to offer insights.

I would have said talk to your doctor but that gets a bit difficult when they say it is depression.  Listen to them but also listen to yourself.  If you don't feel comfortable with their diagnosis then pursue it till you do.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Numbness and tingling in you arms and legs spells disc problems in your spine. It could also account for muscle weakness and dropping things. I have had two cervical disc replacements and a fusion in my lower back. You might want to see a neurosurgeon. This is nothing to play around with. Do it as soon as you can. I suffered with neck pain and numbness in my arm for years. When i finally saw the neurosurgeon he said if I didnt have the surgery I would be paralyzed within 5 years. Good luck to you
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