You may not think about the way your mental health can have adverse effects on your physical health, but the two issues are closely related. If you are struggling with your mental health, it is important to discuss your concerns with your doctor for the reasons addressed below.
Self-Medicating
Self-medicating can take many forms. People who struggle with their mental health do not always use illicit substances to cope. You may find yourself eating poorly or binging when you are depressed or stressed, which not only increases your body weight, but can lead you to eat more sugar, fat, and carbohydrates.
A poor diet is a major factor in developing chronic diseases. People often drink alcohol or smoke to handle stress, neither of which are good coping mechanisms. More than the recommended amounts of alcohol may eventually spiral into abuse and dependence.
Additionally, alcohol can make you feel more anxious as the initial effects wear off, and you may feel emotionally worse. Of course, smoking is never a healthy option due to numerous medical problems associated with nicotine addiction.
Vascular Health
Poor mental health can reek havoc on your vascular system. If you are frequently stressed or experience other negative emotions, you likely have higher blood pressure.
Stress can also place added strain on your heart and blood vessels, possibly contributing to a heart attack or stroke over time. When you combine mental health issues with other physical health concerns, such as chronic disease, your risk of major medical events can increase significantly.
Although finding ways to decompress can sound cliche, having healthy coping mechanisms and asking your doctor for help if you are struggling with your mental health can prevent the burden of stress, worry, grief, and other negative emotions from taking its toll on your body.
Random Symptoms
It's not uncommon for people to speak with their doctor about experiencing different symptoms that do not point in a single direction. Although it is critical to take your symptoms seriously and have them investigated, sometimes these issues are actually precipitated or exacerbated by your mental health.
For example, sometimes people go to the emergency room for what seems like a cardiovascular event, but it is really a panic attack. Your mental health can cause dizzy spells, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fainting, chest pains, headaches, insomnia, or any number of symptoms. Not only are these symptoms problematic because they can be scary, but they can begin to impede your work or family obligations.
Mental health is one part of your overall health, and you should never feel embarrassed or trivialize the matter. Your family doctor should be your first point of contact to improve your mental health and reduce the physical ramifications of untreated mental health concerns.
