02/03/2022
Can Mental Illness Cause Physical Symptoms?
Youâve been feeling awfully depressed for the past week when suddenly a wave of anxiety hits you.
At the same time, you start getting weird aches and pains in your stomach, back, and limbs. You might even get a headache and start to feel sluggish and fatigued.
Is it just bad luck, or are the two issues linked??
So if youâre experiencing unexplained aches and pains, it might be linked to your mental health.
According to Carla Manley, PhD, a clinical psychologist and author, people with mental illnesses can experience a range of physical symptoms, such as muscle tension, pain, headaches, insomnia, and feelings of restlessness.
They might also experience âbrain fog,â which is when your brain feels fuzzy and unfocused, and you may struggle to concentrate or remember information.
Anxiety can also cause stomach pain. For some, this might be just a flutter â like butterflies in your stomach. But it could also result in stomach pain or diarrhea, says Melissa Jones, PhD, a clinical psychologist.
âMany people get an upset stomach at times when they are nervous or trying something new. People with anxiety can have that feeling all of the time, and then have those symptoms increase to diarrhea or migraine when their anxiety and stressors increase,â Jones says.
When physical symptoms are caused or made worse by your mental state, itâs called psychosomatic.
Many people believe that psychosomatic symptoms arenât real â but they are, in fact, very real symptoms that have a psychological cause, Jones says.
But why does mental stress cause physical illness? And what can you do about it?
So youâve found out that your constant muscle aches are the result of mental stress. What can you do about it?
Thereâs no silver bullet when it comes to mental health, and what works for one person might not help the next person. That being said, there are a few ways you can try to deal with your stress that might alleviate your symptoms.
One method is to use up that cortisol or adrenaline for good. If you can, engage in some cardio exercise, such as a long walk, a run, or a dance session. This might help you take your mind off the stress, even if for a moment.
Another way to deal with stress is to do something ultra-calming, whether itâs engaging in a hobby, slow exercise, or deep breathing techniques â whatever helps you feel calm is worth practicing often.
Remember, even if it doesnât âcureâ your anxiety or stress in the long run, a feeling of temporary relaxation can be good for you.
Put some long-term plans into place to help you deal with stress, Jones suggests. âIs there some activity, task, or stressor they can delegate to someone else or simply no longer do? Can they increase their social support network or rely more on their social support network?â she says.
If youâve been dealing with stress or mental illness, youâve probably considered therapy â thatâs if youâre not already in therapy. But if youâre looking for extra encouragement to find a therapist, this is it.
While thereâs no quick fix for psychosomatic pain, simply understanding that your mental state and physical health are linked might give you some relief â and it might help you figure out a long-term plan for dealing with it.
No matter whether your pain has a physical or mental cause, remember that itâs valid and you deserve to have it taken seriously.