![]() ![]() When healthcare providers know a person is struggling with mental health, they may assume the individual won’t follow treatment recommendations, leading to less encouragement and support for making changes. They may stop taking medication for a physical condition and miss medical appointments. When an individual experiences anxiety or depression, it can be hard to concentrate on self-care. Someone feeling overwhelmed due to a mental health disorder may find that surviving each day is their primary goal, so they may not pursue health care until they experience unbearable pain. One of the factors contributing to poor physical health is not having the energy or motivation for self-care. Research shows that people experiencing poor mental health are prone to preventable chronic health conditions like heart disease. How does mental health affect physical health? Being healthy can help individuals avoid poor physical health conditions. Ways Mental Health Impacts Physical Health They may experience fear, nervousness and extreme stress at the thought of a past traumatic event. They may suffer from post-traumatic stress syndrome linked to adverse childhood experiences. Individuals who feel they’re constantly in a fight-or-flight state often experience such events that can leave them feeling mentally and physically ill. Later they may recall the event without the terror they felt and may even laugh about it. However, once they get to safety, they calm down, they breathe normally, and their heart rate decreases. Due to the mental stress of seeing a bear, they might experience physical symptoms such as a pounding heart, heavy breathing and sweaty palms. If a person taking a stroll through a wooded area sees a bear in the distance, they decide to leave and avoid the possibility of an attack. The fight-or-flight response is a natural tool to protect us from danger. When people feel threatened, it’s common to experience a stress response that triggers the need to fight or run. The fight-or-flight response is another example of how the mind-body connection works. ![]() For example, being anxious or nervous can wreak havoc on gut health, making it difficult to eat, and can contribute to conditions like irritable bowel syndrome. Understanding the connection between mental and physical health is essential, commonly called the mind-body connection. The Mind-Body – Connection Between Physical Mental Health Specific physical illnesses can interfere with well-being, causing a person to feel helpless and pessimistic about their future. As a result, a person may experience physical ailments, anxiety and depression. A vicious cycle of chronic stress can affect both the body and mind. Stress can also leave a person feeling physically exhausted and raise blood pressure. When an individual experiences stress due to overwhelming pressure or life events, it’s common to feel physical health symptoms like headaches or body aches. The connection between physical mental health underscores the importance of addressing both aspects for overall well-being. The WHO defines health as a “state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.” In other words, if a person isn’t mentally healthy, they’re not physically healthy. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), there’s a connection between physical and mental health. When you don’t feel well physically, that can affect your mental well-being when you’re not mentally healthy, you won’t feel your best. Solution-Focused Brief Therapy in Phoenix, AZ.Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy in Phoenix (REBT).Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Therapy. ![]()
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