Depression Affects the Stomach and Anxiety Affects the Skin in Young People
http://neurosciencenews.com/anxiety-skin-depression-stomach-5595/
Psychologists
at the University of Basel and Ruhr University Bochum have found evidence to
suggest that there is a link between physical diseases and mental disorders.
For example, arthritis and diseases of the digestive system are more common
after depression. Further, skin diseases may be a result of anxiety disorders. This
project collected data from 6,500 teenagers and examined the relationship
between mental disorders and physical diseases. This is where they noticed that
some physical diseases occurred more frequently in young individuals if they
had reported a mental disorder. Other research had suggested epilepsy resulting
in an increased risk of eating disorders. This research is meant to support a
better and more informed treatments. If psychologists and doctors are aware of
co-morbidities that are likely to occur, they will be able to have prepared
preventative actions.
This
article was very interesting the read as I have several close friends who
struggle with anxiety and depression. My particular friend has anxiety and
frequently complains of extreme stomach pain. This article would explain why
this is occurring and the relation between the two. I sometimes forget how
connected all parts of the body are. To associate something occurring in your
mind with problems in your stomach or skin is odd to consider. The article even
suggests that anxiety disorders could be a result of heart disease. As we
learned in class, neurotransmitters have everything to do with the cause of
mental disorders. For example, serotonin is associated with depression.
Serotonin may also play a role in gastrointestinal function, which would
explain the association between the mental disorder and physical disease. The
human body is extremely complex and reading this article reminded me that as
much as we know about the brain and our bodies, there is still so much left to
learn. I would definitely be interested in further research on this topic!
I never thought of anxiety being related to skin diseases. However I know that when people are stressed out they tend to get more acne during that time than when not stressed. Personally it's hard for me personally to understand that digestive diseases are related to depression, but I do know that when my depression gets really bad I don't eat anything because I just don't have an appetite.
ReplyDeleteIt is cool how our whole body works together, so it makes sense that if something changes mentally, then its caused for a change elsewhere in the body. Our brain allows systems of our body to work properly, so with mental disorders the pathways can get changed, which can cause the systems to not work properly.
Unfortunately, from personal experience anxiety and stress can activate autoimmune responses in people with chronic illness. Often, some sort of infection like the flu, pneumonia, or mono can trigger an attack on the body. I agree there is clearly a relationship between physical diseases and mental disorders. Similarly, physical illness can also affect one’s mental status causing subsequent disorders such as anxiety and depression. It is fascinating to learn that epilepsy could lead to eating disorders. Also, you talked about serotonin is associated with depression. Perhaps, an imbalance in serotonin levels could also affect their sleep cycles, so lack of sleep could too influence one’s mood.
ReplyDeleteThis could explain why stress can make some people break out. It also shows how all systems and aspects of the body are incredibly closely linked. I've heard a lot about how living with feeling angry or unhappy all of the time can lead to issues with physical health.
ReplyDeletePersonally, I've been to the doctor many times because I have issues breathing sometimes, and it may last for weeks. It's like gasping for air (but much less dire than it sounds) because I can't take in enough air when I breathe. Apparently nothing was physically wrong with me and it wasn't asthma, so the doctors suggested it was a physical manifestation of stress. No surprise, as demonstrated in this article.
I totally relate to the anxiety or stress causing stomach pains and acne as well as depression. When i get extremely anxious it causes me to feel stressed out and that causes me to break out and hid out in bed. It almost always causes me to feel like my stomach had the wind knocked out of me.
ReplyDeleteThere is definitely a relationship between physical appearance and mental illnesses. People who had herpes can possibly have "flares up" caused by depression or anxiety. This article is extremely important for those because 26.2 of people who range ages 18 and older suffer mental disorder.
ReplyDeletei agree with this article and it also gives ideas on how to prevent this. Exercise being a good one. The endorphines released are soothing, and also is good for the body which could help the skin as well.
ReplyDelete