2. Depression
The connection between depression and palpitations isn’t as intuitive as the connection between anxiety and palpitations. We all know that our heart beats faster when we are afraid, but rarely think sadness or demotivation has the same effect on us. However, depression can sometimes cause palpitations and chest discomfort, even if we are resting or lying down.
Depression and anxiety, like mental disorders, share many neural mechanisms and are even treated with the same medication in most times. Modern diagnosis manuals even include them together in a spectrum instead of considering them two separate illnesses.
Sometimes, people who experience heart palpitations during rest or inactivity get scared because they don’t understand why their heart is beating like that and fear they might be sick or even in danger, but the truth is their heart is controlled by their brain stem, and mental disorders can influence the top-down system that regulates your heart rate.
