Are Mental Health and Physical Health Related?

Have you had physical symptoms you were convinced were related to a medical condition, only to be told by your doctor that they’re psychological in nature? Were you shocked and disappointed to find out they were related to your mental health?

Therapists have heard these kinds of stories from clients countless times. Numerous tests and scans have been taken only to reveal a clean bill of physical health. It seems outrageous that what you’re experiencing would be something “mental.”

The Mind-Body Connection

It’s not as surprising as you might think. When you understand the mind-body connection, you can see how this might happen.  Suppressed emotions can get backlogged in the body, causing a build-up of tension. Over time, this heavy taxation can wear down the body in ways that produce physical ailments. 

That’s the big picture view. If we look a little closer, we can see what’s really going on. When you have emotions, they manifest themselves in your physical body (see my previous post about this). This is a normal part of being a human and is a good thing overall. Your emotions tell you how you experience the world. Your body alerts you to these things so you can pay attention to them. If you ignore these alerts, it can cause problems.

How It All Adds Up

If you think about it light a bill that’s due, it might make more sense. A bill for the amount of $25 is due. If you pay if, then all is good. If you don’t pay it, then it builds late fees and interest. Next month, when another $25 bill is due, your balance is now much higher than it was before - or should be. Not only that, but there’s some stress that’s been created beyond the usual $25 bill.

Now imagine going through that process month after month for a couple years. The monthly $25 bill has added up to over $800 including fees and interest. Not only do you have to find a way to pay off this bill, you have it hanging over your head and weighing on you. This weight can be felt physically. Every time you hear the word “bill” (in any context) or think about money, that large balance pops into your head. To avoid that, you have to more consciously and willfully suppress it. This takes more energy. And you have to keep it away.

It’s Hard Work!

Another way of picturing this is physically holding a door closed while someone else pushes against it on the other side. It takes quite a bit of physical energy to keep that door closed, especially if that’s your job 24/7/365. 

Can you see now how mental health and physical health can be connected? All it takes is something small like a $25 bill that never gets addressed to create physical problems. How much worse it can get, though, when that small monthly bill is due daily or weekly! Or if it’s a much larger monthly bill that never gets paid! The body can carry a lot, but at some point it just becomes too much.

You may not succeed right away, but the hope is this brings you one step closer to your goal. One less obstacle means less friction and more momentum! If you need help getting started on your new habit, book an appointment to start counseling for anxiety in Tigard, OR.

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Start Counseling for Anxiety in Tigard, OR Today

Your mental health and physical health matter. It might not be easy to get support, but you are worth the time. Our team of skilled therapists is ready to help you find hope and healing, in spite of your anxiety. Contact us today to talk about how we can help you start feeling more grounded and to schedule an appointment with one of our counselors. We offer both face-to-face (in-person) counseling sessions and online video counseling to residents in the state of Oregon.

More Therapy Services at Discover Counseling in Tigard, OR

Not only can we help with your anxiety and depression, but we can also help navigate difficult life transitions. Especially, the grief and loss we are all feeling right now! This is an especially difficult time for engaged couples and couples on the brink of separation or divorce. Also, for pregnant, postpartum, and parenting couples. Life isn't always easy, but we are here to help you thrive.