What can the mind do to the body? It can do a lot! And a lot more than what we believe in the past.
In medical school, I was fascinated by psychosomatic disorders – they involve both mind and body. Some physical illnesses directly relate to the mind, while others are prone to be made worse by emotional factors such as stress and anxiety. Our emotional health can affect how bad a physical disease is at any given time. And that was more than 40 years ago. Today we know a lot more.
Professor Foo Keong highlighted the importance of mental health in our wellbeing. He cited three studies: the first study in Harvard University estimated an astonishing 60% to 90% of patients that seek consultation are related to stress. These figures are amazingly high.
The second study showed the extent psychosocial wellbeing affects the outcome of diseases. In a study of breast cancer patients with metastatic spread, all patients without emotional and social support died within four years. Forty percent of patients with psychosocial support were still alive after five years, while 8% lived longer than ten years.
The third study spanned over 50 years and is still ongoing. This long-term follow-up study of 11,000 medical students showed that the best predictive factor for cancer risk is their relationship with their father. This factor is even more important than smoking or drinking. Poor interpersonal relationships (and the associated emotional factors) may expose us to higher cancer risk.
Stress and anxiety increase cortisol (a stress hormone) in our bodies. Prolonged elevated levels suppress our immune system and predispose us to a higher risk of infections and cancers. Our hypothalamus is sensitive to cortisol and shrinks in response to high levels. Hence stress affects our cognitive function in addition to causing diabetes, heart disease, or strokes. The failure to cope with stress and anxiety is a significant factor behind attempted and completed suicides.
I want to stress the converse is also true. Our physical health has a significant impact on our mental health. Exercise improves our mental health. People who exercise regularly will feel miserable if they do not get their regular “fix” of endorphins. Sound physical health underlies enjoyment – like yin and yang, physical and mental health and intimately related.
Vince
Dr Vincent Chong is a retired Professor of Radiology at Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore.
