But for other people, depression seems to strike for no reason at all, even when life is going well. Fortunately, early recognition and treatment programs seem to decrease the length and severity of depressive episodes for most people. But as we've mentioned, some of the other aspects of depression may be difficult to recognize for what they really are since some physical symptoms may be more noticeable than emotional or mood symptoms. Someone might, for example, have chronic aches and pains or digestive problems that just can't be explained and don't ever seem to get better. Another person may feel tired all the time, yet be unable to sleep.
Some people oversleep but yet never quite feel rested when they awaken.
Some people overeat and yet others may find that they have no appetite at all for their favorite foods and begin to lose weight. Various combinations of these physical effects are also common. Symptoms of depression that show up as changes in bodily function are known as somatic or physical effects. Let's take a closer look at some of them. People who are depressed often do, no matter how many hours of sleep they get.