Physical health and mental health
The human body is a complex system of coordinated actions whose sole purpose is to sustain the life that inhabits the vessel. What comprises the mind is still debated, but the consensus is that the mind and body are interconnected and influence each other.
Physical health and mental health share everything – the vigour of youth and strength and the burden of pain and illness. Here are a few examples of how this alliance plays out.
Deficiency and despair
Nutrition plays a crucial role in ensuring the proper functioning of the brain and nervous system. Low levels of calcium, protein, Vitamins B and D, magnesium, zinc, selenium, iron, calcium, and omega-3 fatty acids have been linked to depression. While there are other factors that can contribute to depression, poor nutrition can create the ideal conditions for an issue to fester.
Chronic illness and complex emotions
When illness strikes, it does not leave without taking a peace of mind (sic). A frequent visitor demands much more. Even with access to the best treatment, coping with chronic illness can be a demanding process every step of the way.
Diagnosis of a chronic illness can cause significant grief, followed by having to develop a new outlook towards life that accommodates the changes in aspirations, lifestyle, and employment due to it. People with chronic illness are at the risk of developing depression and anxiety. Also, they tend to experience symptoms of both more severely than average.
Diagnosis of a co-occurring mental health illness can be difficult because there may be an overlap with the symptoms of the chronic illness.
Mental illness and malady
Physical health and mental health aren’t two institutions coordinating with each other. They are more like two departments within the same institution. So, when a mental health issue arises, it manifests physically as well.
Headaches, digestive issues, changes in sleep habits, fatigue and low energy are some of the common indicators across several mental health disorders. Anxiety, the result of the stress response, can result in many unpleasant physical sensations across the body. People with mental illness are at high risk of experiencing chronic physical conditions like obesity, weak bones, cardiovascular issues, etc.
Fitness and fatigue
The impact of fitness on mental wellbeing is well documented – exercise releases hormones that help with mood regulation and relaxation.
Physical activity is often prescribed for people struggling with depressive symptoms. However, fatigue, a physical manifestation of depression, stands in the way of the person’s ability to exercise. The result is a self-sustaining and persistent mental health issue that begets more health issues, both mental and physical.
The examples are plenty and the relationship between the two is undeniable. In the ecosystem of both illness and wellbeing, the body does not have the choice to separate the two. As part of the team that doles out treatment, we should follow suit.
References
Zielińska, M., Łuszczki, E., & Dereń, K. (2023). Dietary nutrient deficiencies and risk of Depression (Review article 2018–2023). Nutrients, 15(11), 2433. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15112433
Understanding the link between chronic disease and depression. (n.d.). National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/chronic-illness-mental-health
Turner, J. (2000). Emotional dimensions of chronic disease. Western Journal of Medicine, 172(2), 124–128. https://doi.org/10.1136/ewjm.172.2.124
Osborn DP. The poor physical health of people with mental illness. West J Med. 2001 Nov;175(5):329-32. doi: 10.1136/ewjm.175.5.329. PMID: 11694483; PMCID: PMC1071612.
Anxiety disorders – Symptoms and causes. (n.d.). Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/anxiety/symptoms-causes/syc-20350961
Mahindru, A., Patil, P., & Agrawal, V. (2023). Role of Physical Activity on Mental Health and Well-Being: A review. Cureus. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.33475
