How Mental Health Affects Physical Health
Mental health affects the way you think, feel and act. It also influences your ability to deal with stress and other issues in life.
People with mental illnesses often have a harder time managing their physical health, including taking care of their body, eating right and getting enough exercise. This can negatively impact their long-term health.
Longevity
A person’s mental health can affect how well they feel, how much energy they have, and their ability to make healthy decisions. It can also affect how they handle stress, anxiety and depression.
Physical health is also a major factor in longevity. Regular exercise, healthy diets and good sleep habits can all help you live a longer life.
A study published in the International Journal of Psychiatry found that people with chronic conditions like depression or stress have a higher risk of respiratory disease, heart disease and cancer than those who do not have such conditions. Moreover, individuals with mental health disorders are less likely to get regular physical health checks.
Mental health conditions
Mental health conditions include a variety of disorders that affect your mood, thinking and behavior. These can cause significant problems in your life and lead to distress.
People with serious mental illness have a high risk of developing chronic physical health conditions. Research shows that co-existing mental and physical health conditions can decrease the quality of life, prolong illnesses and result in worse health outcomes.
Mental health is a state of mind that is linked to emotional, cognitive and social well-being. It also has a direct impact on your ability to function in your daily life and contribute to your community or society.
Stress
Stress is a normal part of life, but it can become unhealthy and even dangerous over time. It affects every area of your body from your nerves to your heart.
When you’re stressed, your body releases hormones that speed up your heart rate, tighten your muscles and boost your immune system. Your brain controls this reaction to stress.
Chronic stress can damage your heart and lead to health problems, such as high blood pressure or heart disease. Getting regular exercise and sleeping well can help.
The brain and the endocrine system work together to release hormones that regulate stress responses, such as cortisol. Problems with communication between these parts of the brain can cause long-term problems.
Depression
The mental health condition depression can cause physical symptoms such as pain, headaches and migraines. It can also increase your risk for or worsen certain diseases.
People who have a chronic physical illness, such as cancer or Parkinson’s disease, are more likely to develop depression. In addition, some medications can make depression worse.
It’s important to treat both the depression and the underlying physical symptoms for a complete remission. If a patient’s depression is treated without addressing the physical symptoms, the symptoms will continue to affect their functioning. This can lead to further relapse.
Anxiety
When you have anxiety, it can affect your physical health in many ways. It can cause you to feel dizzy, tense and nervous, and may also lead to stomach issues and a high heart rate.
It may also have an impact on your sleep patterns, making it harder to fall and stay asleep. It can also increase your risk of developing certain medical conditions, including heart disease, diabetes, and thyroid disease.
Anxiety can often be treated with medication, therapy and other mental health techniques. Talk to your doctor about a treatment plan that will work best for you.
