Yes, anxiety and depression can absolutely make you physically sick, causing real, physical symptoms like headaches, fatigue, digestive issues (nausea, diarrhea, IBS), muscle pain, heart palpitations, and sleep problems, because the brain and body are deeply connected, and mental stress impacts nearly every system in the body. These "psychosomatic" symptoms are genuine physical responses, not imagined, and can lead to serious conditions if left untreated.
Digestive disorders, heart disease, obesity and chronic pain are just a few of the potential physical effects of anxiety and depression, especially those left untreated. Other health problems associated with depression and anxiety include substance use disorders, respiratory illnesses and thyroid issues.
What's more, anxiety can occur as a symptom of clinical depression, while anxiety disorders and panic disorder can trigger depressive episodes. Having anxiety and depression simultaneously can also worsen the symptoms of each disorder or make them last longer.
Physical symptoms are common in depression, and, in fact, vague aches and pain are often the presenting symptoms of depression. These symptoms include chronic joint pain, limb pain, back pain, gastrointestinal problems, tiredness, sleep disturbances, psychomotor activity changes, and appetite changes.
Mental Health Conditions: Depression and Anxiety
A panic attack is an episode of severe anxiety. It usually causes symptoms such as shortness of breath, racing heart, sweating and nausea. Infrequent panic attacks can be normal. But repeated panic attacks that happen for no obvious reason are more likely a sign of an anxiety disorder.
Generalized anxiety disorder can cause you to not sleep well, or feel jumpy or restless. You may have an upset stomach or heart palpitations, shakiness, sweating, a dry mouth, difficulty breathing or a lump in your throat.
Because of poor health habits, depression may be a precursor to serious and chronic illnesses like chronic pain, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, arthritis, kidney disease, and more. Long-term depression can also lead to suicidal thoughts and even suicide.
“Nervous breakdown” isn't a medical diagnosis. But, it's a type of mental or emotional health crisis. You may feel an overwhelming amount of stress, anxiety or depression. In turn, you're not able to function in daily life.
Mixed anxiety-depressive disorder (MADD) is a new diagnostic category defining patients who suffer from both anxiety and depressive symptoms of limited and equal intensity accompanied by at least some autonomic features. Patients do not meet the criteria for specific anxiety or depressive disorders.
Considerable evidence links the “Big Five” personality traits (neuroticism, extroversion, conscientiousness, agreeableness, and openness) with depression.
Key Takeaways. Health anxiety activates the body's stress response system, causing real physical symptoms like increased heart rate, muscle tension, and digestive issues. Persistent worry about health creates a feedback loop where anxiety symptoms are misinterpreted as signs of illness.
Physical signs of stress
Vitamin D may help improve mood and reduce symptoms of depression by lowering certain substances in the body that cause inflammation [16] Omega-3 fatty acids are also very important for helping to prevent depression. Omega-3 fatty acids, especially a type called n3-LCPUFAs, are found in large amounts in the brain.
Physical activity can positively affect your mood and reduce stress. Walking is a great way to start, but if you want something more invigorating, try a heart-pumping aerobic activity like jogging, dance, or swimming. Just make sure you check with your doctor first. Try tai-chi or other relaxation exercises.
Feeling sick may be a sign that you've fallen ill, but it can also be a sign of anxiety. While feeling sick may be the only physical symptom of anxiety, there are often others including breathlessness, dizziness and fatigue.
Feeling nervous, restless or tense. Having a sense of impending danger, panic or doom. Having an increased heart rate. Breathing rapidly (hyperventilation).
Move your body gently
Movement helps burn off those stress hormones and restore balance. Gentle exercise works best for a dysregulated nervous system so if you're not used to intense exercise, that's OK. Walking, stretching, yoga or dancing to your favorite song can all help regulate your body's stress response.
Clinical depression (major depressive disorder) can greatly interfere with your daily functioning and quality of life if it's not treated. People with clinical depression are at a high risk of developing anxiety disorders and substance use disorders, which further increase their risk of suicide.
Conditions That Look Like Anxiety
Although depression may occur only once during your life, people typically have multiple episodes. During these episodes, symptoms occur most of the day, nearly every day and may include: Feelings of sadness, tearfulness, emptiness or hopelessness. Angry outbursts, irritability or frustration, even over small matters.
Worry excessively about everyday things. Have trouble controlling their worries or feelings of nervousness. Feel irritable or “on edge” frequently. Feel restless or have trouble relaxing.
SSRIS (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors), like Zoloft (sertraline), Prozac (fluoxetine), and Lexapro (escitalopram), and SNRIs (serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors), such as Effexor (venlafaxine) and Cymbalta (duloxetine), are widely prescribed for both anxiety and depression.
If you've been stuck in the anxiety loop, it doesn't mean something is wrong with you. It means your brain is doing exactly what it was designed to do, just a little too well. The shift comes when we start to work with the brain instead of against it. And that starts with understanding anxiety inside out.