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NEW: This symptom checker now includes the ability to select symptoms by body location. We hope this makes it easier for you to identify your symptoms and possible conditions. The tool also...
Use the Symptom Checker to find out what's causing your symptom. Selected Choose a symptom. Select related factors. View possible causes. Abdominal pain in adults. Blood in stool in adults. Chest pain in adults. Constipation in adults. Cough in adults.
Physical symptoms like pain, weakness, or fatigue. Symptoms or impairment that are more intense than expected for a health condition you have. Constantly checking your body for anything...
- Overview
- How mental stress can cause physical problems
- A double-edged sword
- Are my aches and pains caused by my mental state?
- How do I manage the physical symptoms of my mental illness?
If you’re experiencing unexplained aches and pains, it might be linked to your mental health.
“It’s Not Just You” is a column written by mental health journalist Sian Ferguson, dedicated to exploring the lesser-known, under-discussed symptoms of mental illness. Sian knows firsthand the power of hearing, “Hey, it’s not just you.” While you might be familiar with your run-of-the-mill sadness or anxiety, there’s so much more to mental health than that — so let’s talk about it!
You’ve been feeling awfully depressed for the past week, when suddenly a wave of anxiety hits you.
At the same time, you start getting weird aches and pains in your stomach, back, and limbs. You might even get a headache and start to feel sluggish and fatigued.
Is it just bad luck, or are the two issues linked?
Contrary to popular belief, mental illness isn’t just “all in your head.” It affects your brain, yes, but because your brain affects the rest of your body, it’s no wonder that mental illness can make you feel ill.
You might have heard of having a “fight or flight” response to danger. When we see danger, our bodies get ready to either fight the danger (fight) or run away (flight).
Our bodies become filled with two stress hormones: adrenaline and cortisol. This increases heart rate and blood pressure, suppresses the digestive system, and affects the immune system.
This is meant to help us exert a lot of physical energy, which we’d need if we were fighting or running away from danger. After the threat goes away, our bodies usually return to a resting state.
This is an evolutionary response that’s meant to keep you safe. It’s not necessarily a bad thing, as it helps you avoid or deal with danger.
“A certain level of anxiety known as ‘optimal anxiety’ can be very helpful in raising one’s motivation to an optimal level,” Manley explains. “In this way, anxiety — and the bit of stress it creates — provides the energy and interest required to complete many daily tasks.”
But if you’re in a constant state of stress or anxiety, it can wreak havoc on your body.
Many people don’t believe or understand that mental illness can cause physical illness. On the other hand, some doctors might use your mental state to dismiss your physical symptoms.
We often view mental illness in opposition to physical illness. Sometimes, we even make the mistake of setting them up against each other.
There’s a common idea that mental illnesses aren’t taken as seriously as physical illnesses — but as anyone with an invisible chronic illness can tell you, physical symptoms aren’t always taken seriously either.
The flip side of this is that physical symptoms are often dismissed as being “all in your head.”
When I started university, I was constantly ill, and doctor after doctor told me that my fatigue and flu-like symptoms were all down to anxiety. No blood tests were run.
In hindsight, my increased anxiety levels were probably partially responsible for my constant illness. But some other factors were responsible, too.
“One of the best ways to determine whether physical symptoms are related to physical issues or mental health issues is to meet with your primary care physician,” says Jones. “Your primary care physician can help run tests or blood work to help determine if there is a physical reason for your symptoms.”
Your primary care physician should conduct a thorough assessment to help them determine the cause of your pain.
“If the exam and routine tests show no underlying medical cause, it’s important to have a mental health evaluation,” Manley explains.
“If the mental health evaluation indicates that the individual is suffering from depression, stress, or anxiety, a psychotherapist can help determine the nature and degree of any psychosomatic symptoms,” she adds.
If it does turn out that your aches and pains are psychological, don’t dismiss it either.
“Psychosomatic pain is the body and mind’s way of asking you to pay attention to something in your life that is not right for you,” Manley says.
So you’ve found out that your constant muscle aches are the result of mental stress. What can you do about it?
There’s no silver bullet when it comes to mental health, and what works for one person might not help the next person. That being said, there are a few ways you can try to deal with your stress that might alleviate your symptoms.
One method is to use up that cortisol or adrenaline for good. If you can, engage in some cardio exercise, such as a long walk, a run, or a dance session. This might help you take your mind off the stress, even if for a moment.
Another way to deal with stress is to do something ultra-calming, whether it’s engaging in a hobby, slow exercise, or deep breathing techniques — whatever helps you feel calm is worth practicing often.
Remember, even if it doesn’t “cure” your anxiety or stress in the long run, a feeling of temporary relaxation can be good for you.
Put some long-term plans into place to help you deal with stress, Jones suggests. “Is there some activity, task, or stressor they can delegate to someone else or simply no longer do? Can they increase their social support network or rely more on their social support network?” she says.
May 8, 2018 · Overview. Somatic symptom disorder is characterized by an extreme focus on physical symptoms — such as pain or fatigue — that causes major emotional distress and problems functioning. You may or may not have another diagnosed medical condition associated with these symptoms, but your reaction to the symptoms is not normal.
Do you have symptoms that worry you or affect your daily life? Find out what they may mean and how to get help from Mayo Clinic, a trusted source of medical information. Learn about common and rare symptoms of various diseases and conditions, such as COVID-19, depression, and more.
Feb 28, 2022 · By Heather Jones. Published on February 28, 2022. Medically reviewed by Steven Gans, MD. Print. Table of Contents. What Is Depression? Physical Symptoms. Diagnosis. When to See a Provider. Treatment. Depression is a mental health condition that causes sadness and low mood.
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related to: physical illness symptomsTalk to Your Doctor About the Ways You Can Screen for Type 1 Diabetes. Discover the Screening Option That’s Best for You. Take the Pledge Today.
Learn What Happens When You Have Chronic GVHD, Leading to Inflammation & Fibrosis. Talk With Your Health Care Team About Your Treatment Options.
Visit the official HCP website for a FDA-approved treatment for myelofibrosis. Consider this therapy for your appropriate patients today.
