It probably comes as no surprise to learn that when a person is diagnosed with cancer, heart disease, or some other life-threatening illness, they may experience anxiety or depressive symptoms. But what is less understood is that the reverse is also true: persistent anxiety or depression can make someone more likely to develop a serious physical ailment such as hypertension or heart disease and can even impact the effectiveness of our immune system. This is particularly relevant during the Covid-19 pandemic, where ongoing isolation and stress can exacerbate the prevalence of anxiety and depression.
In a study researching the effect of depression on the life expectancy of women with breast cancer, Dr David Spiegel and his colleagues at Stanford University found that women whose depression was improving tended to live longer than women whose depression worsened. Dr Spiegel explained that this phenomenon was indicative of the body and the brain being “intimately connected,” saying that “the body tends to react to mental stress as if it was physical stress.”
According to Beyond Blue, one quarter of Australians will experience an anxiety condition in their lifetime, with one in seven Australians currently experiencing anxiety today. Anxiety occurs due to an overabundance of the fight-or-flight response. An evolutionary tactic, the flight-or-flight response results in the release of the stress hormones cortisol and epinephrine (or adrenaline) in response to physical threats. This response elevates your heartrate and redirects blood flow from the organs to the muscles to prime your body to escape from danger. While an incredibly important response system, the over stimulation of this system leaves your body on “high alert” for extended periods of time, which can result in the development of physical illnesses, such as diarrhea, constipation, and other digestive issues, and creates an increased risk of stroke or heart attack.
Ongoing Depression can have even more detrimental impacts on health. Statistics collected by Beyond Blue show that one in seven Australians are currently experiencing depression. According to Dr. Spiegel, “Depression diminishes a person’s capacity to analyse and respond rationally to stress. They end up on a vicious cycle with limited capacity to get out of a negative mental state.” Depression can impact personal relationships, a person’s ability to effectively function at work and within social settings and effect their resilience and ability to cope with everyday life. It can also increase a person’s perception of pain, increasing the possibility of developing a chronic pain condition.
Many people often don’t seek treatment for depression and anxiety due to fear of stigma or lack of support from family and friends. This can lead to self-medicating with alcohol or other substances, which only exacerbates mental and physical injury. If you think a friend or family member may be suffering from depression or anxiety, it’s important to support them in seeking professional help. With adequate support form mental health professionals and doctors, these disorders are effectively treatable with medications and therapy.
