Depression Symptoms & Dizziness: A Review
Definition
Depression is a mental disorder characterized by persistent feelings of sadness, worthlessness, and guilt, and a lack of interest in activities that were once enjoyed (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). Dizziness is a sensation of unsteadiness, lightheadedness, or a feeling of spinning (American Academy of Family Physicians, 2016).
History
Depression has been documented in historical literature since at least the 4th century BCE (Keller & Galynker, 2005). Throughout the centuries, people have utilized various remedies to treat depression, including herbal remedies, psychotherapy, and more recently, antidepressant medications (Keller & Galynker, 2005). Dizziness, on the other hand, was not addressed in the literature until the 15th century, when Italian physician Giovanni de Vigo described it as “the sensation of swimming in the head” (Keller & Galynker, 2005). Since then, dizziness has been characterized in various ways, depending on its cause.
Depression Symptoms & Dizziness
Depression is a complex mental illness and can be associated with a variety of physical symptoms, including dizziness (Mataix-Cols, et al., 2007). This can manifest as lightheadedness, vertigo, unsteadiness, or a feeling of spinning (Mataix-Cols, et al., 2007). As with other symptoms of depression, dizziness can vary in intensity over time, and can sometimes be difficult to distinguish from other medical conditions (Mataix-Cols, et al., 2007).
The exact cause of depression-related dizziness is not fully understood. It is believed to be linked to the neurochemical imbalances associated with depression, as well as other factors, such as impaired balance or medication side effects (Mataix-Cols, et al., 2007).
Conclusion
Depression is a complex mental illness that is associated with a variety of physical symptoms, including dizziness. The exact cause of depression-related dizziness is not fully understood, but is believed to be linked to the neurochemical imbalances associated with depression, as well as other factors. More research is needed to better understand the relationship between depression and dizziness.
References
American Academy of Family Physicians. (2016). Dizziness. Retrieved from https://www.aafp.org/afp/topicModules/viewTopicModule.htm?topicModuleId=36
American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). Arlington, VA: American Psychiatric Association.
Keller, I. S., & Galynker, I. I. (2005). The history of dizziness and vertigo. Psychiatric Times, 22(7), 14-18.
Mataix-Cols, D., Monzani, B., Rück, C., Buxbaum, J. D., & Leckman, J. F. (2007). Neuropsychiatric aspects of dizziness and vertigo. Dialogues in Clinical Neuroscience, 9(2), 181-189.