The Psychological Factor in Common Physical Illnesses

Most people know that stress isn't healthy, and these same people know that stress can actually kill otherwise healthy brain cells. But more than affecting one's brain condition, stress and anxiety can also contribute to other physical ailments.

One of the most common manifestations, and most well known combination of stress and physical ailment is the ulcer. Ulcers are sores located in the stomach lining, the esophagus, and the upper small intestine (Mayo Clinic, 2011), that cause pain and burning in related areas of the body, and in severe cases bleeding and vomiting blood. Ulcers can be caused by stress, or by a combination of stress and bacteria or similar physical factor (Comer, 2005). Ulcer's range from being small and easily cured by a reduction of stress and dietary restrictions, to being serious enough to claim a life. Physiological factors like drinking and excessive spicy and/or acidic foods can also contribute to worsening or development of an ulcer. Thus a thorough medical history, both mental and physical, is necessary to effectively treat an ulcer.

Another common psycho physiological disorder is the chronic headache. This is a prime example of the mental/physical connection. When I say "chronic," I'm speaking of a recurring condition. While one headache every now and again may very well be a manifestation of psychological "drama;" or it may also be a temporary physical condition, like dehydration or brain trauma. Comer (2005) notes that there are two different types of headaches that can recur if both psychological and physical contributing factors are not corrected, a tension headache, and a migraine headache.

Tension headaches create pain that is felt in the head or neck, and is generally associated with tension in the muscles (PubMed Health, 2011). Since muscle tension is also associated with excessive stress, this can also be a factor that needs to be addressed, especially since excessive stress can make tension headaches worse. Migraine headaches are a more painful and serious headache with symptoms like blurred vision, light sensitivity, nausea, and vomiting (PubMed Health, 2010). Stress plays a huge role in migraines since the migraine is associated with abnormal brain activity, often times brought on by stress, but can also be brought on by environmental or dietary factors (PubMed Health, 2010).

If you've ever experienced either type of these headaches, and most of us have, you can look back and think about the psychological and physical factors that might have brought on the headache. Comer (2005) notes that psychological factors like excessive anxiety, depression, hopelessness, or other environmental pressures can bring on or make headaches worse. This, in conjunction with physical brain function or hormone regulation factors is a painful cocktail. Treatment for such issues often includes finding and eliminating, or otherwise coping with environmental factors and using medication or diet to control physiological factors. Controlling diet, environmental pressures, and stress cannot be emphasized enough since many individuals suffering from chronic headaches may also experience rebound headaches as a result of over-treatment by medication.

Coronary heart disease is yet another stress-physiological illness. This particular illness is so well publicized that there are pamphlets on it available at nearly every medical center across the United States, and it seems that television commercials about it are on the rise. According to the New York Times (2008) coronary heart disease is the narrowing of the blood vessels that carry vital oxygen and blood to the heart. Physical factors like good and bad cholesterol levels, smoking, a sedentary lifestyle, and obesity work in conjunction with psychological factors like anxiety, stress, severe and/or persistent depression, and high levels of anger (Comer, 2005) all contribute in the development and seriousness of coronary heart disease. Interestingly enough, Comer (2005) goes on to note that many of the factors for coronary heart disease are the same as those psychological factors that cause stress disorders. Thus, not only is it important for individuals to care for their physical health, but to also take care of their psychological health. This can be a catch-22, as physical disorders can cause a rise in stress and anxiety. Nothing raises anxiety, stress, and instability like health disorders that often bring about a severe sense of helplessness and a need for lifestyle changes. Caring for both psychological and physical conditions will greatly reduce an individual's risk for coronary heart disease, and is especially important when the disease runs in the family, as it is hereditary.

Insomnia is psycho physiological disoerder that many people may not realize is also a combination of mental and physical factors. We tend to associate insomnia with only psychological factors relating to social stress and pressures, but in reality, insomnia is more complex than that. While insomnia is indeed brought about, in part, by psychological factors like anxiety, depression, and excessive social and work pressures; chronic insomnia is most often instigated by combining the psychological and physical. Physical factors include an "overactive arousal system" or ailments caused by other medical or medicinal factors (Comer, 2005). Due to the complexity of this area, sleep research centers have popped up around the globe to pinpoint the exact reasons why sleep is such an elusive thing for some people; and what factors directly and indirectly contribute to this relentless lack of sleep.

Lastly, we address asthma. This is hands down the most highly commercialized, yet highly misunderstood of all the psycho physiological disorders discussed. Think back to any commercial for asthma medication that you've ever seen. Words and phrases like "restricted airways" and "inflammation" may come to mind. This shows the highly physiological attributes that asthma has become known for; but they do nothing to address the conjoining psychological factors that contribute to, and even cause it. Comer (2005) notes that stress, high levels of anxiety, and environmental pressures play a huge role in bringing on asthma attacks, as well as the on-set of the disorder.

As the previous discussed disorders clearly illustrate, psychosocial factors such as stress and anxiety play a huge role in one's overall health. The lesson is that keeping our environmental stresses, and coping with stress and anxiety, is extremely important and should not be underrated.

References:

Mayo Clinic (2011). Peptic Ulcer.

New York Times (2008). Coronary Heart Disease

PubMed Health (2010). Tension Headache.

PubMed Health (2010). Migraine.