If you had a broken bone or a persistent pain in your chest, would you ignore it? Of course not. So why, then, do we tend to brush aside mental health struggles? The truth is, ignoring mental health is just as dangerous as neglecting physical health. Doing so increases the risk of chronic diseases, weakens the immune system, and can shorten your overall lifespan. When one part of your health suffers, the rest often follows.
How Poor Mental Health Affects Physical Health.
Depression, anxiety, PTSD, and persistent stress can all affect your body. Touching everything from your heart to your immune system to your sleep (1, 2, 3).
1. Depression, Anxiety, And Stress Can Lead To Physical Diseases
Heart Disease: Depression can lead to heart disease. For example, it was found that people with depression are twice as likely to have coronary artery disease and may suffer from a heart attack. And there’s one study of more than 1,000 men where it was also found that those who are diagnosed with depression were double the risk of developing a heart problem. This increased risk did not fade in time. It was still there 10 years after their first episode (4). Depression, not just smoking, diet, or cholesterol, can also be a reason for heart problems.
Diabetes: Depression and diabetes are also connected. Many may think it’s impossible, but a study proves people with depression are about 60% more likely to get the condition. Interestingly, the link goes both ways. Having diabetes can also make a person have a higher chance of having depression. Depression may change the body, like inflammation and insulin resistance, which increases diabetes risk more. Our mind and body are really connected, and getting treatment for both means better health (5)
Stroke: Stroke risk is also high. It raises the risk by 45%, fatal stroke by 55%, and ischemic stroke by 25% (6) in more than 300,000 adults in one study. In the U.S., depression causes more than 100 strokes each year per 100,000 people. Caring for mental health is also caring for heart and brain health (6).
Heart disease and stroke are also common in people living with PTSD. They may face related health issues, such as high blood pressure, higher cholesterol levels, or changes in weight. It may happen because lasting stress throws off how your nervous system manages your heart and circulation (7).
2. Too Much Stress For Too Long Can Make You Sick More Easily
When stress, anxiety, or depression is happening for too long, your body keeps releasing a hormone called cortisol (stress hormone). A little is okay. Too much can slow down your immune system, so it will be harder for your body to fight colds and the flu.
Long-term health problems like arthritis, autoimmune conditions, and even cancer can develop due to chronic stress. Those are just some of the reasons why you should take stress seriously when you feel like it’s getting too much. Take time to relax and take care of your mental health.
3. Your Sleep And Mental Health Keep Affecting Each Other
Sleep is hard when your mental health is off. IF you notice, anxiety, depression, and PTSD can make it hard for you to relax or stay asleep through the night. Then, the less rest you have, the harder it becomes to manage your emotions and stress.
And when you’re missing out on your sleep, your immune system is getting weaker. This can increase inflammation in your body. That kind of stress is the reason for heart issues, high blood pressure, and weight gain, too.
Taking Mental Health Seriously Still Feels Hard For Many
With all the information, research, and a lot of social posts about awareness for mental health, it is still often ignored. Many reasons are possible.
Mental Health Issues Are Not Only About The Inside.
You may have experienced or heard “just in your head,” but no. It affects the whole body. From brain chemistry, hormones, to your organs. The signs can not be easily seen, so it’s easy for others to not notice and ignore them when someone is trying to get help.
Shame And Stigma Stop People From Asking For Help.
Shyness is another reason. Many people find it tough to show how they feel. Being afraid of being judged, losing their job, being seen as weak, or being discriminated against by people who don’t understand what they are going through. So in the end, they’re choosing to keep their mouth shut and endure it in the corner.
Without Awareness, Early Signs Are Ignored.
The feeling of tiredness, mood swings, no focus, or feeling pain can be clues that something else is happening. And if not aware, it may harm you soon. You might be missing the red flags that your mental health needs care.
We Value Work So Much That Rest And Balance Take A Back Seat.
In Japan, if you are seen napping, it means you are working hard. You are dedicated to what you are doing. They call it “inemuri”.
Others see resting or slowing down as laziness. But the truth is, it’s what your body needs. When it’s missing, you start feeling burned out, anxious, and run down.
You Deserve To Feel Well.. Inside And Out.
You have to take care of your mental health the way you care for your body. Ignoring it just holds you back.
When Your Mind Feels Heavy, We Can Help You
Don’t try to hold it together alone. It’s exhausting and numbing. You may feel stuck. Yes, every day may feel heavy, and thinking nothing seems to help, it can be really discouraging. But trust us, you can feel okay again. Healing can happen.
At the TMS Institute of Arizona, our safe, FDA-approved TMS therapy is helping people like you find the kind of relief you can feel when other treatments didn’t improve things. It’s a gentle treatment that gently rebalances brain activity without the use of medication or harsh side effects.
Our team will be with you and help you. We will keep your treatment comfortable and safe.
You’ve struggled with this for too long. Let us help you find your way back to feeling like yourself again. Message us.
References
- Mariotti, A. (2015). The Effects of Chronic Stress On Health: New Insights Into the Molecular Mechanisms of Brain–Body Communication. Future Science OA, 1(3). https://doi.org/10.4155/fso.15.21
- VA.gov | Veterans Affairs. (2019). Va.gov. https://www.ptsd.va.gov/professional/treat/cooccurring/ptsd_physical_health.asp
- Depression and immune function. (2018, May 4). Wikipedia.org; Wikimedia Foundation, Inc. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Depression_and_immune_function
- Ford, D. E., Mead, L. A., Chang, P. P., Cooper-Patrick, L., Wang, N.-Y., & Klag, M. J. (1998). Depression Is a Risk Factor for Coronary Artery Disease in Men. Archives of Internal Medicine, 158(13), 1422–1422. https://doi.org/10.1001/archinte.158.13.1422
- Mezuk, B., Eaton, W. W., Albrecht, S., & Golden, S. H. (2008). Depression and Type 2 Diabetes Over the Lifespan. Diabetes Care, 31(12), 2383–2390. https://doi.org/10.2337/dc08-0985
- Ovbiagele, B., & Silver, J. (2011). Depression as a Stroke Risk Factor. Jwatch.org. https://www.jwatch.org/jp201111070000001/2011/11/07/depression-stroke-risk-factor
- Coughlin, S. S. (2011). Post-traumatic Stress Disorder and Cardiovascular Disease. The Open Cardiovascular Medicine Journal, 5(1), 164–170. https://doi.org/10.2174/1874192401105010164
