Evidence continues to emerge showing that there is a strong correlation between how you feel mentally and your overall health.
Your mental health can determine how you feel physically, and, on the flip side, your health can have a profound impact on psychological well-being. Because the two are so closely interconnected, getting the right treatment for both is crucial to a person’s quality of life.
Research has found that untreated mental health issues can increase your risk for a host of physical ailments. Similarly, chronic illnesses such as cancer, heart disease or diabetes may make you more likely to develop a mental health condition.
For instance, one study shows that those with diabetes are two to three times more likely to have depression. In addition. stress can make your blood sugar go up, so mental health is strongly correlated with this condition. People with diabetes are also 20% more likely to have anxiety.
Finally, long-term stress can also lead to other health conditions.
A related study on cardiac issues shows that stress can increase heart rate and blood pressure, reduce blood flow to the heart, and heighten cortisol levels, which can lead to metabolic disease and heart disease.
The cycle is especially difficult because those who have had a cardiac event can experience resulting depression, anxiety, stress and even post-traumatic stress disorder.
Mental health disorders may also increase behaviors such as smoking or substance use, especially for people who have fewer healthy coping strategies. Obviously, these factors can negatively impact one’s overall health.
There is good news:
Depression is treatable — even with a coexisting medical condition. Wyoming Behavioral Institute’s outpatient clinic offers in-person, outpatient adult psychiatry with Dr. Jiri Danczik. In addition, Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) depression treatment is available for adults for whom medication has not worked. We are here to help.
For more information and to make an appointment, call 307-439-2139. For more information about Wyoming Behavioral Institute’s programs and services, visit wbihelp.com.
