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Mercy internist Dr. Dana Simpler

Mercy Internist Dr. Dana Simpler Explores The Physical Impact Of Depression On Patient Health

Physicians now claim that clinical depression can exhibit physical symptoms on top of mental problems.

Mercy Medical Center internist Dr. Dana Simpler said in her practice, she's amazed at the number of people who come in with physical symptoms, including chest pain and headaches, that are depression-related.

"Diabetes goes out of control, blood pressure goes up. There's a clinical study that shows when you have a heart attack, if you're clinically depressed, your chance of dying from that heart attack goes up," Dr. Simpler said.

According to patient Denise Azzara, she has struggled with feelings of depression for 20 years. She was often angry, anxious and very tired.

"I would not get out of bed. I wouldn't talk to anyone in the house. I would sleep all day, sleep that night and, if I felt better the next day, I'd get up," she said.

Azzara reported having headaches, stomachaches and chronic diarrhea. Now, she takes medication and feels much better.

"If you want a good life and be happy, you have to get fixed. If you broke your leg, you wouldn't sit around the house with a broken leg. It's the same thing. You have to get yourself fixed if you're depressed," she said.

She added that many of her physical symptoms just went away when she got better.

To view Dr. Simpler’s interview online, click this link: http://www.wbaltv.com/womansdoctor/29157456/detail.html