Are your mental problems causing physical pain? Let's talk about psychosomatic disorders.

Do you sometimes feel like this? "Oh my, this stomach ache only happens when you work too hard," or "As soon as I feel a little worried, this skin starts to hurt." You're not the only one, many of us have had this experience. It's normal for things like stress, sadness, and anxiety in our minds to manifest as illness in our bodies. That's what we're going to talk about in depth in this article today.

What is this psychosomatic disorder?

This word may sound like a big, complicated thing to say. But its meaning is very simple. Let's break down the two words.

• "Psycho" means "related to the mind."
• "Somatic" means "related to the body."

Simply put, we call a psychosomatic illness a condition in which an existing illness in our body worsens or new physical symptoms appear due to things like stress, anxiety, and sadness in our mind.

This is not something you have imagined. These symptoms are real, physical problems that you are experiencing. The difference is that your mental state is a major factor in whether these problems start or worsen.

Imagine this example. A person has diabetes. He has a big problem at work and is feeling very stressed. No matter how hard he tries to control his blood sugar levels during those days, it is not under control. That is the best example of this. Here, mental stress has aggravated the diabetes.

What diseases can be exacerbated by stress?

In the past, doctors thought that diseases like tuberculosis and stomach ulcers were caused by stress. However, later research found that tuberculosis is caused by a bacterium and stomach ulcers by a bacterium called `H. pylori`.

However, that doesn't mean that stress has no effect. Stress has the potential to aggravate an existing illness and worsen its symptoms.

Let's look at the table below to see some of the medical conditions that can be exacerbated by stress.

What is the difference between Psychosomatic Disorder and Somatic Symptom Disorder?

Although these two situations may sound similar, there is a small but important difference between the two. Let's understand this with a simple example.

• Psychosomatic Disorder: Imagine that a doctor has diagnosed you with a condition called Hypertension. When you are under a lot of stress due to a family problem, your blood pressure increases even more. This means that an existing condition is made worse by stress.

• Somatic Symptom Disorder: What happens here is, you have a minor ache in your body. But you overthink it and worry excessively, wondering, "Do I have something serious?", "Is this a sign of cancer?" Your whole day, your whole life, starts to revolve around that symptom. The main thing here is the excessive mental anguish and worry about the symptom.

Simply put, in the first case, mental problems exacerbate physical illness. In the second case, the mind becomes overly concerned about a small mark on the body.

What are the symptoms of mental problems affecting the body?

The symptoms vary from person to person and depending on the underlying medical condition, but there are several common physical and mental symptoms that can be caused by stress.

Why does stress affect the body in this way for some people?

Our bodies are incredibly prepared to deal with a sudden danger or a frightening situation. We call this the "fight-or-flight response." Imagine what happens when you're crossing the street and a speeding car suddenly comes your way? Your body shakes, your heart beats faster, and your breathing quickens. That's your body's way of preparing to escape the danger at that moment.

At this time, the `sympathetic` part of our body's autonomic nervous system is activated. When the danger has passed, the `parasympathetic` part is activated and returns the body to its normal state, that is, the `rest-and-digest` state.

But the problem is, when we are under prolonged stress due to things like work problems, family problems, or financial problems, our bodies are constantly in that "fight-or-flight" state. As a result, these changes continue to occur in the body:

• Blood pressure, heart rate, and breathing rate are constantly elevated.
• Increased blood sugar levels.
• Increased inflammation in the body.
• Irregular functioning of the digestive system.
• Impairment of the body's cell repair process.
• Reduced blood flow to the part of our brain that controls things like decision-making and attention (the Prefrontal Cortex).

These changes can cause damage to various systems in our body over time. Some people may be more sensitive to stress due to genetics, personality traits, and environmental factors. They are at higher risk of developing these conditions.

How does a doctor diagnose and treat this condition?

Diagnosis

There is no specific blood test or scan to diagnose this condition. All your doctor can do is talk to you.

Treatment methods

Treatment has two main goals. One is to treat your physical condition (e.g., diabetes, high blood pressure) and the other, and most importantly, to help you manage the psychological stress that is causing it.

The following treatments can be recommended for this:

• Psychotherapy: This is also called "talking therapy." You can talk to a trained psychologist or psychiatrist about your problems and learn how to cope with them and manage your thought patterns. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a very effective method used for this.
• Mindfulness-based Therapy: This teaches you to live in the present moment and overcome anxiety through meditation techniques and other activities.
• Medication: In some cases, a doctor may prescribe anxiolytics or antidepressants. These should only be taken under medical supervision .

How can you control stress and protect yourself from this situation?

• Exercise: Do something like walking, running, swimming, etc. for at least 30 minutes every day. Exercise stimulates the production of "happy hormones" in the body.
• Sleep well: Try to get 7-8 hours of uninterrupted sleep a day. Sleep is the best rest for the mind and body.
• Eat healthy foods: Eat more fruits, vegetables, and greens. Avoid processed foods, sugary drinks, and high-fat foods.
• Set boundaries: Don't say "yes" to everything. Learn to say "no" to things you can't do. Manage your time and energy.
• Practice relaxation techniques: Practice things like deep breathing exercises, yoga, and meditation daily.
• Talk to someone you trust: Don't keep your problems bottled up inside. Talk to a trusted friend or family member about them.
• Avoid alcohol and smoking: These are only temporary solutions. In the long run, these are very harmful to mental and physical health.

What are the best times to see a doctor?

If you are experiencing prolonged, severe stress that is affecting your daily functioning, be sure to see your doctor. Don't delay, especially if you have a chronic condition like diabetes or heart disease.

Some questions to ask your doctor

• "Doctor, how is this stress affecting my illness?"
• "Am I at risk of developing other diseases because of this stress?"
• "What can I do to manage this stress?"
• "Do I need to see a psychiatrist or counselor?"

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