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Signs & Symptoms of Depression: Adrenal Failure

The signs and symptoms of depression are sometimes similar to those of adrenal failure. Adrenal failure, also referred to as Addison's disease, is a rare hormonal, or endocrine, disorder experienced by approximately one in 100,000 people, states the Pituitary Network Association. When a person experiences this condition, there is a variety of symptoms, and because these symptoms are sometimes very similar to the symptoms of depression, this can lead to adrenal failure being mistaken for depression, according to HGH Talk.

  1. Fatigue and Weakness

    • Patients with adrenal failure can experience fatigue and weakness. Adrenal failure is caused by an imbalance in hormones, so, as hormone levels decrease, a person becomes tired and weak. The cortisol produced by the adrenal glands also aids in maintaining blood sugar and blood pressure, so, when the adrenal glands fail, the associated blood sugar and blood pressure issues can cause these two symptoms, according to the Pituitary Network Association.

      According to the Mayo Clinic, fatigue and weakness are also common symptoms of depression. This can make it hard to tell whether depression or adrenal failure is what the patient is suffering from.

    Hypoglycemia and Hypotension

    • Hypoglycemia is a condition in which a person has low blood sugar, and hypotension is a condition in which a person has low blood pressure. According to the Pituitary Network Association, the cortisol produced by the adrenal glands is responsible for helping the body balance insulin's effects and blood pressure. When the adrenal glands are in failure, they cannot do these two tasks effectively, resulting in low blood pressure and low blood sugar.

    Digestive Issues

    • There is a number of digestive issues that can occur with adrenal failure. According to the Cleveland Clinic, these may include loss of appetite, diarrhea, nausea, constipation, abdominal pain and vomiting. The Mayo Clinic states that loss of appetite is also a symptom of depression.

    Other Symptoms

    • Those with adrenal failure may experience other symptoms, which are also sometimes experienced by those with depression. Adrenal failure symptoms include weight loss, skin darkening, salty food cravings, light-headedness or dizziness when standing up, joint pain and muscle pain, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Some of these symptoms, such as unexplained weight loss, joint pain and muscle pain, are also common depression symptoms, according to the Mayo Clinic.

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