Mental health is a complex system, even though researchers have been looking at different aspects of it, there is a lot more we need to learn. For many, mental health problems lack physical symptoms, which leads them to dismiss mental health concerns as real issues. Many people believe that mental health issues can be cured if people think in a certain type of way or avoid doing certain things. However, it is not that simple. However, thinking that mental health issues do not manifest in physical symptoms is wrong. According to the Mental Health Foundation, mental health and physical health are two-way streets. Physical health problems can greatly increase your risk of developing mental health problems, and mental health challenges can, in turn, affect your physical well-being. Physical Effects of Suffering Mental Health Research clearly shows that individuals dealing with mental health issues are more prone to developing preventable physical conditions, such as heart disease. Beyond that, mental health problems frequently come with noticeable physical symptoms. Since our bodies and minds aren't separate entities, it's not surprising that mental ill-health can manifest physically. For instance, people can have symptoms like HeadachesFatigueDigestive problems. Anxiety often leads to an upset stomach.InsomniaRestlessnessdifficulty concentrating.These symptoms underscore that what's happening in your mind can have a very real impact on your health. How Our Minds Affect Our Bodies According to a 2023 study published in the Frontiers in Psychiatry, it's common for people to experience both mental and physical health problems at the same time. However, in many medical settings, doctors don't fully understand just how much our mental well-being can impact our physical body. People with diagnosed mental illnesses, in particular, face a higher risk of developing long-term physical health issues. They're often at a disadvantage because our healthcare system tends to treat the mind and body as completely separate. Three Key Areas Affected Due To Mental Health To learn more about this connection, researchers closely examined 30 in-depth interviews. These interviews were conducted with individuals who had serious mental illnesses or with their family members. The researchers specifically selected participants who had significant experiences with both physical and mental health symptoms occurring at the same time. The study revealed common physical health challenges for people with mental illness, highlighting that mental and physical symptoms influence each other in both directions. We identified three main themes: How Mental States Show Up Physically Participants talked about how their bodies physically reacted to their mental states, like stress causing stomach aches or anxiety leading to headaches. Challenges Getting Medical Care They shared difficult experiences trying to get treatment for their physical symptoms while also dealing with a mental health condition. Sometimes, doctors might focus only on the mental health aspect, missing the physical problem. Confusing Healthcare System Participants spoke about the difficulties of navigating a healthcare system where mental and physical health services aren't well-coordinated, making it hard to get comprehensive care. Why Do Mental Health Struggles Manifest Physically? The Mental Health Foundation explains that people who have mental health issues often also have preventable physical health problems like heart problems. Shared Genetic Risk: The genes making you prone to mental health issues might also increase your risk for certain physical conditions.Low Energy & Motivation: Mental health problems or medications can drain your energy, making self-care difficult. Difficulty with Appointments: Impaired concentration or planning due to mental health can make it hard to arrange or attend medical visits.Lack of Lifestyle Support: Healthcare providers may wrongly assume you can't make healthy changes, withholding support for things like quitting smoking or drinking. Delayed Medical Help: Your physical symptoms might be misattributed to your mental illness, leading to less investigation and fewer routine checks that could catch physical issues earlier.