Mental illness can affect a person’s physical health, compounding their problems. Someone dealing with a mental illness might not realize that some of the physical symptoms they experience may be tied together. Symptoms can include jaw pain, chronic pain, blotchy skin and excessive sweating.
Mental Illness Can Cause Weight to Fluctuate
The National Institute of Mental Health reports a study that concluded living with a mental illness increases the risk of obesity. Those dealing with severe mental illness, including schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, are up to 3.5 times more likely to become obese. Poor lifestyle choices account for some of this, as well as medications used to manage these conditions that have weight-related side effects.
In addition, people with depression and anxiety often report weight loss as a result of their conditions. A lack of appetite often accompanies depression and anxiety. Furthermore, weight loss is sometimes a side effect of medications used to treat these conditions.
Other Physical Ailments That Can Accompany Mental Illness
Depression can lead to insomnia or oversleeping, causing health problems when experienced over an extended amount of time. Psychology Today reports a correlation between chronic sinusitis and depression. The painful symptoms of sinusitis may worsen a person’s depression. Simultaneously, many with depression report that their sinusitis conditions became more prevalent when the two conditions co-occur. The stress of living with a mental health issue can cause an increase in headaches and nausea. Someone experiencing this might start to use over-the-counter medications to treat this, sometimes leading to a dangerous overuse of them.
It is said that humans are holistic beings when it comes to their health, meaning that our physical and mental health are related. People who are diagnosed with mental health issues often experience physical symptoms simultaneously without tying the two things together. A change in weight, an increase in nausea, headaches, pain, and even chronic sinusitis may be indicative of or caused by mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, PTSD, bipolar disorder, avoidant personality disorder, and schizophrenia. Alta Loma understands how to design a complete treatment plan that addresses the needs of both mental and physical health, resulting in a unique approach designed for each patient. Our ranch-style home in a rural part of the Austin area is a men-only facility with six beds that offers you a place to assess your overall health and manage all of your symptoms. Call us today to find out more. (866) 457-3843
