By : Dr. Raymond Ambrose Liang
Introduction • They say when the mind suffers the body cries out, and there’s truth based in medical science. Problems with mental health can affect your physical health in adverse ways, and in some cases a chronic health condition can cause mental problems such as depression.
Physical symPtoms of mental illnesses • • • • • • •
Obesity Fatigue Chronic Pain Tics and Twitches Sinus Problems Weight Loss Irritated Skin
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It adds that those with schizophrenia are up to 3.5-times more likely to become obese, while those with major depression or bipolar disorder are at 1.5-times increased risk for obesity. The weight gain is traced to lifestyle factors such as less exercise, although medications (such as antipsychotics) to treat these illnesses can also be a contributor, notes the post.
Fatigue •
Mental illness can be more than just feelings of sadness or distress. They may cause you to feel “significant tiredness, low energy or problems sleeping” according to the source.
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Of course, insomnia will likely only lead to feeling more tired. Depression and chronic fatigue syndrome are often mistaken for each other, but can also exist at the same time, points out other sources. It’s important to let a doctor make that call to properly treat it.
Chronic Pain •
Those little aches or pains (or worse) can actually be tied to a mental condition. While pain can cause depression, the feelings of sadness can intensify this pain. The school also notes that those with chronic pain are at 3-times higher risk for developing psychiatric problems, while those with depression are 3-times more likely to develop associated chronic pain.
Tics and Twitches • Tics are said to be a controllable response to an urge to contract muscles, while twitches are generally involuntary spasms. Calm Clinic points to the connection between mental suffering and twitches from anxiety affecting “something as small as a finger or as large as your entire leg.” • The clinic also points out that in many cases, muscle twitches can lead a person to believe there’s a bigger problem, which in turn creates more anxiety. While muscle twitching “is absolutely a sign of anxiety”, in some cases it can suggest MS or nerve damage. If it persists, have it checked out by a medical professional.
Sinus Problems •
Sinusitis itself can be troublesome, as it causes feelings of always being “stuffed up” or causing pressure in the facial area. This is another case where depression can trigger a physical ailment, which in turn intensifies your feelings of sadness, making the ailment tougher to cope with.
Weight Loss •
In contrast to obesity, it is not uncommon for individuals with mental illnesses such as depression and anxiety to lose weight without even trying. Individuals with anxiety and depression disorders often cause individuals to lose the desire they once had for things they find enjoyable – even food.
Irritated Skin •
However, the reason that depression or anxiety may cause conditions like eczema or acne to worsen is actually due to the fact that mental illnesses increase stress which releases the stress hormone cortisol. WebMD states that Cortisol will result in the skin producing more oil which in turn will produce more acne. Stress may also produce hives, skin rashes or worsen conditions like psoriasis.
• Dr. Raymond Ambrose Liang is the President of DR. RAYMOND LIANG INC. who provides the help in consultations, counseling, therapies and assessments for a variety of psychological, psychiatric and other mental health problems.