Can Emotions Affect Physical Health?

The idea that your mental state is interconnected with your physical state has become well-known in recent years, so it may come as no surprise that emotions can indeed have an impact on physical health. If you regularly experience stress, anxiety, or depression, it’s possible that it’s taking a toll on your body as well as your mind.

Symptoms

Some of the more common physical difficulties associated with mental health include:

Headaches or back/neck pain
Upset stomach, constipation, or diarrhea
Change in appetite, weight gain, or weight loss
Palpitations or high blood pressure
Fatigue or insomnia
Sweating, lightheadedness, dry mouth, or shortness of breath

Although these are some of the more common ailments, please note that this is not a comprehensive list. You may experience other physical symptoms connected with your mental health. Conversely, these types of symptoms can have a variety of different causes, and may have more to do with lifestyle elements other than emotion.

Treatment

So how do you tell if problems with your physical health stem from the condition of your mind? This can be a tricky area. It’s important to let your doctor know if you think your emotions are causing you to experience physical health difficulties. They can help rule out other causes and treat your symptoms so you can feel better physically while you come up with more long-term solutions.

If you believe that your mental state is causing physical problems or making it difficult to live life to the fullest, contact our office to make an appointment with one of therapists or counselors. They can help you to address the emotional concerns that may be an underlying cause of some of your physical symptoms. As you learn effective ways to cope with stress, calm anxiety, and lighten the burden of depression, you may find that both your mind and body benefit from the treatment.