Can your mental health affect you physically?

[jeph]

I want to hear people's experience on this. I worry about my health too much. Lately I've been having a lot of bowel issues that came out of no where, I'm being told by my doctor pretty much that its all in my mind. I am not sure if it really is ALL in my mind but I do realize now that when I stress out and worry more things tend to get worse. Things have gotten a bit better, not fully back to normal though. I'm being told now I may have IBS which never really goes away and it makes me think sometimes that I still could have something that may turn out to be a bigger issue. Has anyone here had experience with stress causing problems or correcting issues by dealing with stress reduction or known anyone who has done so?

[Shantimama]

The things that are going on with you emotionally can definitely affect you physically. Sometimes it is how we know that something else is going on - our bodies tell us to pay attention to someone. A medical doctor can help with treating the symptoms that are troubling you but it might be a good time to look for someone you can talk to if you suspect there are also underlying emotional causes. Physical problems can have both mental and physical components to them so working with both kinds of health care providers might be the best solution for you.

[Imakcerka]

Heck yes!  When I was transitioning from the military to civilian world my stress level was unreal.  DH still hadn't gotten a job and so the families livelihood depended on me.  For an entire 2 months I had the worst bowel issues.  I lost 15lbs because I couldn't stop going to the bathroom.  Also I have RA and when I'm mentally in the Red I'm physically in pain.  This is the same with migraines and anything else that I'm afflicted with. 

[Mom31]

Yes. Very much so.  I have depression and anxiety and also have fibromyalgia. Bowel issues are a lot of the time mental health or stress related.