How can mental illness impact on activities of daily living?

Effects of mental health on physical health

1. A weaker immune system: Problems like stress and anxiety can weaken the immune system. This means that the body might get sick more easily. 
2. Tiredness and sleep issues: Conditions such as depression and anxiety can mess with sleep, leaving people feeling tired, low on energy, and unable to focus. 
3. Chronic pain: Challenges with mental health can make pain feel worse, resulting in headaches, muscle tightness, or stomach issues without any clear physical reason. 
4. Heart health concerns: Ongoing stress and mental struggles can increase cortisol levels. This can raise blood pressure, cause inflammation, and increase the chance of heart problems. 
5. Weight changes: Mental health conditions can change how someone eats, which may lead to losing weight if they don’t feel like eating or gaining weight if they turn to food for comfort. 

Effects of mental health on emotional health

• Greater emotional reactivity: Struggling with mental health issues like anxiety or depression may heighten how we react emotionally. Everyday stressors can seem overwhelming, leaving you feeling more irritable, sad, or frustrated than normal. 
• Challenges in emotion regulation: Conditions such as depression or mood disorders can complicate the process of managing emotions. This might result in sudden mood changes, a sense of hopelessness, or even emotional numbness, where joy or enthusiasm feels out of reach. 
• Lowered self-worth: Facing mental health challenges can contribute to feelings of inadequacy or worthlessness. Conditions like anxiety and depression can skew how you view yourself, making it tough to recognise your value or believe in your skills. 
• Heightened stress and anxiety: Mental health difficulties often bring about ongoing stress or anxiety, leading to constant feelings of worry, nervousness, or fear that can disturb emotional balance and overall strength. 
• Struggles with social connections: Dealing with mental health struggles can lead to pulling away from social situations. You might feel lonely, isolated, or too drained to engage with others, which can worsen emotional distress and contribute to negative feelings. 

Impact on daily life

1. Challenges with daily activities: When dealing with mental health problems, even basic things, like getting out of bed, cooking, or taking care of yourself, can feel like huge hurdles. This can lead to neglecting self-care, which can lower your overall well-being. 
2. Work and focus: Struggling with mental illness can make it tough to concentrate, make choices, or have the energy needed for work or school. This often results in reduced productivity, taking time off, or feeling swamped by tasks. 
3. Social interactions: Mental health difficulties can cause people to pull away from social events, make it hard to keep friendships, and increase feelings of loneliness. Emotional challenges might hinder effective communication or connection with others. 
4. Physical effects: Mental illness can show up physically, bringing on chronic tiredness, headaches, stomach issues, or trouble sleeping. These physical discomforts can add to emotional strain and disrupt daily routines even more. 
5. Financial challenges: Addressing mental health may involve therapy, medication, or other types of support that can strain finances. Moreover, difficulties at work can lead to loss of income or make it hard to keep a steady job. 

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