Anxiety and Your Physical Health

Psychosomatic Health Management

Psychosomatic means mind (psyche) and body (soma). “Psychosomatic” explains the relation between mind and body.

A psychosomatic disorder is a disease which involves both mind and body. Some physical diseases are thought to be particularly prone to being made worse by mental factors such as stress and anxiety.

Your mental state can affect how bad a physical disease is at any given time. Some physical diseases are thought to be particularly prone to be made worse by mental factors such as stress and anxiety.

It is well known that the mind can cause physical symptoms. For example, when we are afraid or anxious we may develop symptoms of anxiety.

Psychosomatic pain is when your emotional and mental stress begin making you physically sick. Physical ailments can stem from emotions trapped in the body, causing distress, real and painful symptoms.

Not only do trapped emotions cause physical discomfort, but they also often lead to higher susceptibility to infection and disease, especially when the body’s immune system has been weakened by severe or chronic stress.

Common Symptoms

Learning about how mental and emotional stress manifests physically can be helpful in reducing the effects of stress on your health. Common physical signs of stress include;

• Eczema,
• Fatigue
• Headache
• Racing heart and Elevated blood pressure, High blood pressure (hypertension).
• Nausea/vomiting
• Fever
• Constipation/ Bloated Belly/ Abdominal Pain
• Back pain, Muscle aches and pain
• Numbness, dizziness
• chest pains,
• Weight loss,
• Ongoing cough
• Shortness of breath and insomnia.
• Muscle Paralysis and Non-epileptic Seizures
• Stomach ulcers (peptic ulcer disease).
• Erectile dysfunction (impotence).

A study showed that 14.3% of medical patients, the causes of their symptoms were psychosomatic (Chinawa etc 2016)

RISK FACTOR

What makes a person more at risk of somatic symptoms;

1. Chaotic lifestyle.
2. Difficulty recognizing and expressing emotions.
3. Childhood neglect.
4. Traumatic experience
5. History of sexual abuse.
6. Loneliness
7. Other psychological conditions, such as depression or personality disorders.
8. Substance abuse (such as alcoholism or drug addiction).
9. Unemployment.

HOW TO MANAGE SOMATIC SYMPTOMS

Strategies to reduce and manage stress may help you prevent or lessen somatic symptoms. Tips include;

• Eat and drink to optimize your health:- Consuming a healthy, balanced diet can help to combat stress.
• Be realistic about what you can and can’t control.
• Exercise regularly.
• Get enough sleep.
• Journal your thoughts and emotions to increase your awareness of your thoughts and feelings.
• Limit alcohol and avoid smoking.
• Study and practice relaxation techniques.
• Meditate or practice progressive muscle relaxation.
• Seek support from loved ones.
• Set limits to reduce pressure on yourself.
• Reduce triggers of stress.
• Set realistic goals and expectations
• Assert yourself
• Seek Professional Counseling, to help you recognize and relieve stress.