Mental Health and Physical Disorders

Mental Health and Physical Disorders

Introduction

The characteristics of mental illness predispose people to other health issues such as physical injury. Mental health involves a person’s social, emotional, and psychological wellbeing. The state of a person’s mental health significantly determines their behavior, emotional processing, and decision-making (Hillside, 2019). A mentally healthy person can maintain a healthy lifestyle, while a mentally ill person is unable to maintain a stable lifestyle. Physical health involves nutrition and physical activity. The link between mental health and physical health hinges on these two aspects and can spill to the immune system and health condition.

Thesis Statement: The ability of a mentally challenged person to maintain adequate nutrition and physical activity predisposes them to physical health issues.

Depression and Immunity

Depression suppresses T cells, which are essential in fighting bacteria, viruses, and other disease-causing microorganisms, making the body vulnerable to more diseases. A mentally ill person is likely to remain sick for more extended periods due to the compromised state of immunity and expose the individual to experience severe allergies such as asthma (Hillside, 2019). Besides, a weakened immune system makes the individual susceptible to depression by affecting the functioning of the brain. Studies of brain activity among mice revealed that the brain releases cytokines, a type of protein linked to inflammation that damages the frontal cortex. The frontal cortex is a sensitive part of the brain that determines the levels of depression. The presence of the protein triggers depression following the reaction of the immune system to stress (Hillside, 2019). The immune system of an individual significantly determines the physical wellness of an individual and is directly linked to anxiety and depression. The mental health of an individual leads to a cycle whereby the immune system is weak, thus lowering his resilience to stress.

Mental illness and general body fatigue

Mental illness, including anxiety, depression, and mood disorders, leads to general exhaustion and tiredness. Thus, mental illness closely links to fatigue and a decline in physical wellness. A study carried out by Bangor University to gauge the levels of exhaustion proved that a person who had reached the point of exhaustion had inadequate responses to memory (Hillside, 2019). In the experiment, a group of participants was tasked to ride a stationary bicycle until they could not keep up with the pace of 60 revolutions per minute. A separate group was engaged in the general riding of the bike, and the two groups under a task to test memory, fast reactions, and inhibiting impulsive responses to stimuli (Hillside, 2019). This experiment proved that a mentally exhausted person experiences the fatigue that predisposes him to reduced physical activity. Diminished physical exercises can lead to adverse health effects and interfere with other aspects like poor basic hygiene leading to high exposure to disease.

Anxiety and cardiovascular health

Worry and stress can cause cardiovascular issues such as heart attacks. Acute emotions associated with stress can lead to heart attacks. Research has proved that after two hours of heightened anger, the individual begins to experience adverse aspects of the body language, including clenched fist and the feeling that they are ready to burst. Such individuals have 8.5 higher chances of suffering a heart attack (Ohrnberger, Fichera & Sutton, 2017). Caregivers of mentally ill patients must, therefore, create conditions that reduce stressors that can lead to anger.

Counterclaim

Not all physical disorders can result in mental health. Some occur due to accidents and the socio-economic status of a person. The lifestyles of individuals are predictors of their physical health. Moderate consumption of alcohol, for instance, has been linked to positive outcomes in the physical health status of individuals (Ohrnberger, Fichera & Sutton, 2017). On the other hand, excessive drinking leads to adverse physical and mental health. In this regard, mental health is not a predictor of physical illness. Dietary choices and social interactions also influence the physical health outcomes of individuals and expose them to mortality risk

Counterargument

Although lifestyle factors may independently cause physical health challenges, persons who have physical disabilities are susceptible to isolation and risk exposure to mental illnesses. Other factors, including non-employment. Generally, physical activity accounts for only 8% of the physical health enjoyed by a person in the past on their mental health status. 7.5% of the aggregate of the past mental health, on the other hand, affects physical health. Based on these findings, the effect of mental health on physical health.

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Rebuttal

Persons with severe mental health disorders (SMD) are susceptible to factors that increase their mortality rates. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), people suffering from SMD at high risk of engaging in predisposing lifestyle behaviors (World Health Organization, 2018). Besides, such persons are more likely to adopt unhealthy eating habits and are generally less physically active. Consequently, mental health patients suffer from preventable lifestyle diseases like obesity. The lack of access to comprehensive health services causes increased mortality rates in mentally ill patients.

Conclusion

Mentally ill persons have a high probability of suffering from physical health challenges. Patients with mental illnesses mostly suffer from isolation and are less likely to engage in physical exercise. However, lack of physical activity results from factors like poor diet and social factors, including unemployment. In general, better mental health ensures that individuals enjoy good tangible health outcomes. Mental illness, in this respect, inhibits the capacity of individuals to engage in physical activity and adopt good dietary practices and thus exposes them to physical health challenges.

References

Hillside (2019). The link between mental and physical health. Accessed 5^th March 2020; https://hside.org/link-between-physical-and-mental-health/

Ohrnberger, J., Fichera, E., & Sutton, M (2017). The relationship between physical and mental health: A mediation analysis. Social Science & Medicine, 195, 42-49.

World Health Organization (2018). Management of physical health conditions in adults with severe mental disorders: WHO guidelines