Surprising Signs of Depression and Anxiety | Connections Wellness Group

“
Tune into your body instead of dismissing or minimizing symptoms and letting them continue to
disrupt your life. We offer a free consultation to new clients and urge
everyone to take the first step and call us. Let us help you break a pattern
or habit your body has developed as well as treat mental health
disorders.”
– Reagan Borgman,
LCSW

By
Annette
Brooks | Photos by
Kenny Richard
Photography

Most of us know someone affected by a mental
health disorder and recognize emotional signs like sadness and hopelessness,
apathy, angry outbursts and irritability, and loss of interest in hobbies or
sports. But did you know several physical symptoms of conditions like
depression and anxiety may be easily overlooked?

Award-winning Connections Wellness Group not only
treats mental health disorders using a comprehensive, multi-disciplinary
approach, but they also aim to educate the public and help you understand
both the emotional and physical signs and symptoms of anxiety and depression.
Executive Director of Connections Wellness Group – Plano, Reagan Borgman,
LCSW, explains, “Physical signs are often dismissed or mimic other medical conditions,
so the root causes involving mental health disorders go undiagnosed

and untreated.”

During our
interview with Ms. Borgman, she discussed some of the physical signs
connected to mental health disorders. She emphasizes that in addition to
psychological evaluation and treatment, Connections Wellness Group strives to
rule out medical conditions as the cause. They work closely with a patient’s
other medical providers, such as their primary care physician, to help ensure
a safe and effective continuum of care.

“Tune into
your body instead of dismissing or minimizing symptoms and letting them
continue to disrupt your life. We offer a free consultation to new clients
and urge everyone to take the first step and call us. Let us help you break a
pattern or habit your body has developed as well as treat mental health
disorders,” says Reagan Borgman, LCSW.

Aches and
Pains

Mental
health disorders are often linked with unexplained muscle aches and chest,
back, and joint pain. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) says, “a high
percentage of patients with depression who seek treatment in a primary care
setting report only physical symptoms, which can make depression difficult to
diagnose.”

If you or a
loved one suffer from unexplained aches and pains, instead of using excessive
over-the-counter (OTC) medications to help mask the symptoms, consider
reaching out to a mental health professional for evaluation who can diagnose
and treat a root cause such as depression.

Headaches
and Migraines

Migraines
and mental health disorders such as depression and anxiety are often
intertwined, and this is backed up by research, including a 2017 study by the
NIH. It’s wise to pursue a comprehensive, multidisciplinary treatment
approach that addresses both the physical and psychological symptoms and
causes.

“One concern
about headaches that go undiagnosed and untreated are rebound headaches
brought on by long-term use of OTC pain-relieving medications,” explains Ms.
Borgman. “Instead of brushing your headaches off and self-treating with OTC
products, explore potential underlying causes, including mental health
issues.”

Gastrointestinal
Problems

If you
suffer from depression and anxiety, you may also struggle with GI problems such
as nausea, bloating, constipation, and diarrhea. It’s widely recognized that
most of the body’s serotonin — a “feel good” chemical that plays a key role
in several body functions, including mood — is produced and stored in the
intestine. According to Harvard Health Publishing, Harvard Medical School, “A
troubled intestine can send signals to the brain, just as a troubled brain
can send signals to the gut. Therefore, a person’s stomach or intestinal
distress can be the cause or the product of anxiety, stress, or
depression.”

Ms. Borgman
notes that stress and anxiety are also linked to elevated cortisol levels.
(Cortisol is the body’s primary stress hormone.) High cortisol levels can
cause gut inflammation, worsening anxiety and
depression.

Sleep
Disturbance

The NIH
indicates there are strong links between sleep and major depression. Around
three-quarters of depressed patients have insomnia symptoms and hypersomnia,
and about 40% of young adults who are depressed and 10% of older patients
experience hypersomnia — excessive daytime sleepiness. In addition to
treating depression, one should rule out medical conditions like sleep apnea
that may contribute to symptoms.

About
Connections Wellness Group

Connections
Wellness Group offers life-enhancing, personalized, cost-effective mental
health solutions to residents throughout North Texas. Whether you or a loved
one is struggling with depression, anxiety, substance abuse, an eating
disorder, self-harm, grief, loss, trauma, or another issue, they’re here to
help “connect you back to what matters most.”

Known for
its comprehensive services and innovative, integrated treatment model,
Connections Wellness Group’s dynamic, collaborative team of mental health
professionals and other providers, including dieticians, provide multiple
services under one roof.

Start on
Your Journey to Wellness and Recovery

Call today
and schedule a complimentary screening. Connections Wellness Group is
in-network with all major insurance companies and Tricare. The practice has
locations run by licensed health professionals in Plano, Frisco, Arlington,
Denton, Flower Mound, Keller, Mansfield, McKinney, Prosper, Rockwall,
Southlake, and Willow Park. Visit ConnectionsWellnessGroup.com
for more information.