ANXIETY AND PHYSICAL HEALTH

Mental health and physical health are closely related as the hand and glove. Research has shown that mental health is closely related to the occurrence of a number of physical conditions. The most common mental health issues in our communities are anxiety and depression. Although these two are usually grouped together they are actually two separate conditions which are related. 

Anxiety has been proven to seriously impact physical health in a number of ways . What is Anxiety? Anxiety is a feeling of fear and dread over an anticipated or real situation. When anxiety is prolonged it becomes a mental disorder normally known as anxiety disorder. Anxiety disorders are characterized by prolonged fear , anxiety and dread and are normally accompanied by panic attacks. These are debilitating and affect normal living.

Anxiety is characterized by symptoms such as feeling anxious, fearful, restless and tense. Individuals may have a sense of anticipated danger or undesirable event. Usually people suffering from Anxiety are likely to avoid certain things which they perceive to be triggers. Panic attacks in Anxiety display physical signs and symptoms such as sweating, heart palpitations, shivering or trembling and these may occur for a few minutes before disappearing. Some symptoms include sleep disturbances, changes in appetite, fatigue both physical and mental, trouble concentration and failure to control feelings of worry. People with Anxiety have a negative outlook on life that is they are pessimistic. 

Anxiety is often accompanied by physical ailments ranging from headaches , fatigue and stomach aches . Studies on the Gut and brain connections have shown two way  links between anxiety and gastrointestinal issues. Gastrointestinal (GI) disturbances commonly include symptoms of stomach pain, heartburn, diarrhea, constipation, nausea, and vomiting. On the other hand panic attacks result in palpitations, breathing problems, and increase in blood pressure. 

Studies have attributed some chronic illnesses  such as hypertension and heart disease to anxiety. This means that anxiety can lead to Hypertension and heart conditions. However there is a  two way relationship between Anxiety and physical illness. As much as anxiety may result in certain conditions, prolonged physical conditions or chronic illness results in anxiety . Meaning when one is sick they can get anxious and in the long run suffer from anxiety as a consequence of their sickness. 

Another physical link with anxiety is psychosomatic illness. 

According to the Cambridge dictionary Psychosomatic refers to illness " (of an illness) caused by anxiety and worry and not by an infection or injury:" In simpler terms it refers to disease aggravated by stress or anxiety. Nancy Schimelpfening comments:" A psychosomatic illness is aggravated by emotional stress and manifests in the body as physical pain and other symptoms." This means that stress can lead to symptoms of diseases real or imagined.

Psychosomatic illness presents real physical symptoms that

however cannot be linked to any physical cause. For example one may experience  frequent uncontrollable urinating in some cases they might even bed-wet if they delay the toilet visit. However upon physical examinations the physician may fail to identify any physical cause of the condition. Meaning the reason may be more of psychological rather than physical. A common misconception is believing that the symptoms in Psychosomatic illness are imagined this is not true. Patients experience real pain and real symptoms. How does anxiety result in physical illness?

According to Harvard health studies , anxiety presents psychological and physical symptoms. The body is prepared for fight or flight scenario. This is accompanied by increased heart beat, raised blood pressure, palpitations, nausea,headaches, frequent urinating among other symptoms. Prolonged anxiety therefore poses a great risk to physical health.In the case of Psychosomatic illness anxiety symptoms can be mistaken for physical illness and in some cases prolonged anxiety leads to the development of physical illness. This has been proven for some cardio vascular conditions, respiratory conditions and gastrointestinal disorders. In such cases eliminating anxiety often proves efficient in dealing with the physical symptoms.

An important aspect is how stress compromises the immunity. According to Glaser and Kiecolt-Glaser 2005 there is an intricate relationship between the Central nervous system, endocrine system and the immune system. A field of Psychology known as "psychoneuroimmunology" focuses on how mental processes affect physical health.  Earlier studies by psychologist Janice Kiecolt-Glaser, PhD, and immunologist Ronald Glaser discovered links in animal stress and compromise in immunity.  It was noted that during exam period students had low immunity due to exam pressure and stress.Recently a large number of research has been done to confirm the initial 1980s studies.

Understanding the relationship between mental health and physical health helps us to appreciate that both aspects of health need to be taken care of . When we experience mental health issues it is important for us to address them . Let us seek for professional help before things get bad. Remember,  “There is no health without mental health”. 

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