Despite the common belief that the mind and body are distinct, there is a close relationship between mental and physical health. Physical and emotional well-being are positively correlated. Conversely, having bad mental health might have a poor health impact. Maintaining mental well-being can help you stay healthy and prevent major medical illnesses. A study has demonstrated that having positive psychological well-being reduces the incidence of heart attacks and strokes. Conversely, detrimental behaviors or poor physical health might result from mental illness.
- Persistent illnesses
The illnesses include diabetes, asthma, cancer, cardiovascular disease, and arthritis. Furthermore, there is evidence linking schizophrenia to a higher risk of cardiovascular and pulmonary problems. Managing a chronic illness might be more difficult if there are mental health issues involved. People with depression and other mental health conditions die at a higher rate from cancer and heart disease.
- Issues with sleeping
Individuals who have mental health issues are more likely to experience sleep difficulties such as apnea or insomnia. Having insomnia can make it complex to get to sleep or stay asleep. Breathing issues brought on by sleep apnea may wake you up regularly. Between 50% and 80% of those who suffer from mental health issues also have trouble falling asleep. Ten to eighteen percent of people have trouble sleeping. Sleep issues can exacerbate pre-existing mental health concerns, even though conditions like depression, anxiety, or bipolar disorder may cause sleep issues.
- Smoking
The likelihood of smoking is higher in individuals with mental health disorders than in those without such disorders, according to Medriva. Mentally ill individuals who smoke are more prone to smoke more cigarettes overall. Depressed people have low dopamine levels. In your brain, dopamine affects good emotions. Smoking cigarettes, which contain nicotine, can help lessen depression symptoms by producing the neurotransmitter dopamine. You might experience a recurrent want to smoke due to the transient relief that nicotine provides, but this could result in addiction.
- Obtaining healthcare
It is less probable that people with mental health issues will have access to quality medical care. Moreover, it could be more challenging for those with mental health issues to look after their physical health. Getting enough exercise, taking your medications on time, and seeking medical attention might be challenging when you have a mental health illness.
Your emotional and physical wellness are interdependent, according to Medriva. Mental health disorders can also emerge in people with physical health issues. Skin sores that hurt are a common symptom of the dermatological disease psoriasis. It comes along with acute stress and depression.
Individuals with psoriasis have emotional and psychological anguish, which has a detrimental influence on their overall health and quality of life. Anxiety, stigma, and rejection all contribute to stress and depression. Being diagnosed with cancer or suffering from a heart attack can both result in emotions of depression or worry. Depression symptoms, such as low mood, sleep problems, and loss of interest in activities, affect roughly one-third of people with medical illnesses.