How can my emotions affect my health?
Your body responds to the way you think, feel and act. This is often called the mind/body connection. When you are stressed, anxious or upset, your body tries to tell you that something isnt right. For example, high blood pressure or a stomach ulcer might develop after a particularly stressful event, such as the death of a loved one. The following may be physical signs that your emotional health is out of balance:
Back pain
Change in appetite
Chest pain
Constipation or diarrhea
Dry mouth
Extreme tiredness
General aches and pains
Headaches
High blood pressure
Insomnia (trouble sleeping)
Lightheadedness
Palpitations (the feeling that your heart is racing)
Sexual problems
Shortness of breath
Stiff neck
Sweating
Upset stomach
Weight gain or loss
Poor emotional health can weaken your body's immune system, making you more likely to get colds and other infections during emotionally difficult times. Also, when you are feeling stressed, anxious or upset, you may not take care of your health as well as you should. You may not feel like exercising, eating nutritious foods or taking medicine that your doctor prescribes. Abuse of alcohol, tobacco or other drugs may also be a sign of poor emotional health.
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Most of us have experienced physical distress as a result of our emotions. Most everyone I know, believes this is possible and this article explains is perfectly. Real physical symptoms are manifested because of our thoughts and emotions.
I've posted this before, but here it is again....
A wise recovering addict/alcoholic, with 12 years in recovery, once told me that having pills available him has caused relapse more than just a few times. He explained it like this: If pills were in the house they would call him. He could not ignore or forget that pills were in his house, within his reach.
I have found this to be true. When pills are in my house, I think about them, sometimes obsess about them.
He continued to say that when those pills were in the house his addict mind/body connection would kick in. His addict mind would think about the pills. As a result, his body would manifest a need for them. Real physical distress would occur. If pain pills were in the house, he eventually would develop awful back or neck pain, or a migraine headache, etc. I'm not speaking about the little aches and pains we imagine to justify using pills. (I could stub my toe and justify taking 50 milligrams of percocet, but wasn't in any REAL pain.) I'm talking about real, actual, intense, physical pain that did not exist until the pills entered the home.
The same thing happened with benzos, which he was also addicted to. The mind knew they were within reach and the body responded with anxiety that turned to full blown panic attacks. Anyone who has ever suffered from a panic attack knows that they are not all in your head. Real, uncomfortable physical symptoms are present.
Once this information was given to me I looked into the past, before I admitted I was an addict and before things had really gotten out of hand. He was right! Every single time meds were available to me, yet they weren't for me and I was not intending on taking them, I would develop pain. Back pain, neck pain or menstrual cramps were usually the case for me. I would think "Thank God these percocet are here, or I don't know how I would deal with this!" Never did I question if the pain had developed because the pills were available. It was real, so why would I?
The person who passed this information to me has not had pills in his house for many years. He is also 12 years clean and sober and no longer suffers from sudden onset of pain or anxiety.
The mind/body connection is real. If you are an addict and pills are available to you, your body will eventually react. Maybe this isn't true for everyone, but it is certainly a possibility that could easily be overlooked. After learning this, I realized it had happened to me more than a few times, and I never even realized it. Knowledge is power, and I hope if anyone finds themselves in a situation like this, they take action before the pain comes. If you find yourself thinking "Thank God I happened to have these pills here" you may want to think again.
Thanks for letting me share this again.
Now You Are Talking Girl
Stress was the culprit for me.I would get stressed over something external,quit my morning meditation,blow off my meetings,start eating junk food,blow off the gym,work 12 hours straight,yada,yada,yada.....start lying.
Then I would wonder why it was so easy to pick up that first pill.
I may be broke today but I sure don't have much stress.LOL
I don't need anything else that working myself into an unhealthy frenzy will buy anyway.Maybe I'm in denial?
Stress was the culprit for me.I would get stressed over something external,quit my morning meditation,blow off my meetings,start eating junk food,blow off the gym,work 12 hours straight,yada,yada,yada.....start lying.
Then I would wonder why it was so easy to pick up that first pill.
I may be broke today but I sure don't have much stress.LOL
I don't need anything else that working myself into an unhealthy frenzy will buy anyway.Maybe I'm in denial?
I don't need anything else that working myself into an unhealthy frenzy will buy anyway.
I hear ya on that! Denial? I don't think so.
I hear ya on that! Denial? I don't think so.
That was interesting-- I totally relate too. I remember back when I was doing coke, if I would just see a line without doing it yet, I would act all speedy and nervous just like I did it. ew yuck
I hear you, Firesign. Just on the way to the Connection, the anticipation of scoring would send me reeling into a frenzy.
Atlas, great post and so very true. It is of the upmost importance for me to keep my emotional sobriety in check. I have had a bout of health issues and I swear the only epidemiologic reason is stress. Exercising, prayer and meditation and restraint from pen and tongue seem to help and keep me grounded.
~Rachel
Atlas, great post and so very true. It is of the upmost importance for me to keep my emotional sobriety in check. I have had a bout of health issues and I swear the only epidemiologic reason is stress. Exercising, prayer and meditation and restraint from pen and tongue seem to help and keep me grounded.
~Rachel
Gross. I remember that anticipation of using. Feeling high before I even hit the pharmacy. Once I knew the pills were mine, I was already blasted. Stress does horrible things to my body, mind and soul. And if having pills in the house isn't stressful, I don't know what is. Thank you Atlas, excellent post.
I sure don't have any here...and trust me, as far as I can PRAY, I never will!
Great post Atlas....Thanks!
Sarah
Great post Atlas....Thanks!
Sarah
It is no accident why they tell recovering addicts that if the time comes where meds are necessary,we need to give them to somone else to dispense.It's also critical that they know of our situation.
There is no shame in this.It's about the smartest move you can make.
When they are not in our possession........we might not even need them?
Good Post Atlas
There is no shame in this.It's about the smartest move you can make.
When they are not in our possession........we might not even need them?
Good Post Atlas
Sarah...if you had to though, you would set up all of those safety nets we talked about. You wouldn't have anything to do with them, your husband would. Your dr would know and you would be given a reasonable amount. You would be accountable. I would kick your a**.
xxoo
xxoo
I remember after my 1st C-section --- in the hospital I was taking 2 percocets every 4-6 hours. I would try to space it as long as possible. The dr. sent me home with only 7! I couldnt believe it but I did not ask him for anymore. Anyway, I took 1 pill every day until they were gone. Then the next day I remember I had no more pain. I couldnt believe it. Now if he gave me 30 Im sure I wouldve felt pain until all of them were gone. I just remember vividly that as soon as I took the last pill, the next day I was fine. (This was all way before I became addicted to pills)
Atlas
Hey love Merry Christmas..never did set up the right time for that call did we>?lol..hopefully over the holidays before New Years..
Just wanted to share my thought on this..
I think whenever you have something in the house, within your proximity and you "love to do them" you will find a reason to do so.....
I could have 2 pounds of cocaine in my house ( I DONT...lol) but I would have no desire to o any.. Ive had some kind of pot in my house for more then a year, stored in some mason jar somewhere, and left one time when my sister stayed here...again no desire to do any..
If someone is on a diet and they know they have Nanaimo bars or Chocolate cheese cake....they instinctively will think about it constantly...knowing they "cant have it" others that arent dieting wouldnt think about it so much..theyd have a piece or wouldnt, but its nothing they would obsess about..
Anyone that has dieted knows that " im a bit hungry...Ill just take one little bite, and next thing you know youve eaten half the cake..."
I feel theres a big difference in telling yourself you CHOOSE not to partake, as that is putting the control back where it belongs and makes temptation less powerful...i have some pills in the house, my hubby needs some available for the odd time he needs pain relief and it doesnt bother me whatsoever...but thats me and I feel its because i have made the decision or the CHOICE not to do them anymore...just like the pot, the coke ( if i had any) etc..that at one time or point in my life may have been something that i would have done or used..
I have put the pills in that category of what i used to do, and choose to stay away from now, and for ME, that handed me back my personal power..and thus dont find that my body comes up with reasons why i need to have them..
Does that make any sense at all??lol
DISCLAIMER...this is my personal experience and do not expect everyone to agree with me nor do I think it would work for everyone..but since it HAS worked for me, I feel that there has to be others out there that would feel or could feel the same way....
Peace to all...
Hugs
Ali
Hey love Merry Christmas..never did set up the right time for that call did we>?lol..hopefully over the holidays before New Years..
Just wanted to share my thought on this..
I think whenever you have something in the house, within your proximity and you "love to do them" you will find a reason to do so.....
I could have 2 pounds of cocaine in my house ( I DONT...lol) but I would have no desire to o any.. Ive had some kind of pot in my house for more then a year, stored in some mason jar somewhere, and left one time when my sister stayed here...again no desire to do any..
If someone is on a diet and they know they have Nanaimo bars or Chocolate cheese cake....they instinctively will think about it constantly...knowing they "cant have it" others that arent dieting wouldnt think about it so much..theyd have a piece or wouldnt, but its nothing they would obsess about..
Anyone that has dieted knows that " im a bit hungry...Ill just take one little bite, and next thing you know youve eaten half the cake..."
I feel theres a big difference in telling yourself you CHOOSE not to partake, as that is putting the control back where it belongs and makes temptation less powerful...i have some pills in the house, my hubby needs some available for the odd time he needs pain relief and it doesnt bother me whatsoever...but thats me and I feel its because i have made the decision or the CHOICE not to do them anymore...just like the pot, the coke ( if i had any) etc..that at one time or point in my life may have been something that i would have done or used..
I have put the pills in that category of what i used to do, and choose to stay away from now, and for ME, that handed me back my personal power..and thus dont find that my body comes up with reasons why i need to have them..
Does that make any sense at all??lol
DISCLAIMER...this is my personal experience and do not expect everyone to agree with me nor do I think it would work for everyone..but since it HAS worked for me, I feel that there has to be others out there that would feel or could feel the same way....
Peace to all...
Hugs
Ali
Lol @ Ali... Come on tell the truth, you do have coke in your house.....
I just know that for me, I can't have that kind of temptation, no matter how resolved I am. When my son had surgery last year, my husband took care of the meds. Those pills stayed in the house, for who knows how long. I didn't ask. Didn't want to know. I know where my addict would go, if they had been accessible. Doesn't matter how strong your program is. But again, that's just me.
Merry Christmas Ali....be well.
I just know that for me, I can't have that kind of temptation, no matter how resolved I am. When my son had surgery last year, my husband took care of the meds. Those pills stayed in the house, for who knows how long. I didn't ask. Didn't want to know. I know where my addict would go, if they had been accessible. Doesn't matter how strong your program is. But again, that's just me.
Merry Christmas Ali....be well.
About a year and a half or so ago, I went through withdrawal KNOWING I had about 50 Percocet in my house. I made it to about day 11 or 12....but I also knew that I would eventually swallow those pills. My husband sold some and I was so pissed...even though I had agreed to it. Those were MY pills, my FRIEND that he was selling.
Needless to say, I haven't been sober a day since then.
It only started with just one...to get some sleep. And then the rationalization took over. Before I knew it, I was back at square one.
And it's gone downhill since then.
Needless to say, I haven't been sober a day since then.
It only started with just one...to get some sleep. And then the rationalization took over. Before I knew it, I was back at square one.
And it's gone downhill since then.
Jodi-Just want to wish you a Merry Christmas and hope you stay safe.
Getting my personal power back meant me admitting I had no power over these things to begin with.I've had a lot of field research coming to this place.This was not an easy place to get to.My ego needed a good b*tch slapping that only took about 30 years to get to.LOL
It won't matter how long I stay clean.Having substances in my house is not a luxury I can afford.Some people may interpret that as a personal weakness.I used to be one of those.Today I see it as a sign that I was indeed teachable and it gives me strength.
Getting my personal power back meant me admitting I had no power over these things to begin with.I've had a lot of field research coming to this place.This was not an easy place to get to.My ego needed a good b*tch slapping that only took about 30 years to get to.LOL
It won't matter how long I stay clean.Having substances in my house is not a luxury I can afford.Some people may interpret that as a personal weakness.I used to be one of those.Today I see it as a sign that I was indeed teachable and it gives me strength.
Lisa
LOL didnt read this till just today...okay ya caught me..I do have coke in the house..DIET....lol and Diet Pepsi...
Not sure if this was brought up Lisa but did you have to take any pain pills during the hospital stay post surgery? If so how did that go and now that your out do you have any feelings on that?
if this subject has already been addressed or brought up hon, im sorry, i just thought maybe there are some great and or valuable lessons we could learn and i know posters have brought up the fear they have of one day needing to take something while in the hospital...
hope your enjoying the day and that Santa was especially good to you..
Hugs
Ali
LOL didnt read this till just today...okay ya caught me..I do have coke in the house..DIET....lol and Diet Pepsi...
Not sure if this was brought up Lisa but did you have to take any pain pills during the hospital stay post surgery? If so how did that go and now that your out do you have any feelings on that?
if this subject has already been addressed or brought up hon, im sorry, i just thought maybe there are some great and or valuable lessons we could learn and i know posters have brought up the fear they have of one day needing to take something while in the hospital...
hope your enjoying the day and that Santa was especially good to you..
Hugs
Ali
Hey Ali...yes I did have to have meds and am still on them only not as much now. I can go 8 hours instead of 4-6 now without them. My goal is to flush them today.
Lisa...
Did you run that by your doctor's? You wouldn't be trying to control the situation....lol....I am so glad you are healing and getting your strength back...but I do still worry that you might try to push things so make sure your team is on the same page as you, k?
Love ya...missed ya....and where in the hell is 12stepper?
xoxo
Stacey
Did you run that by your doctor's? You wouldn't be trying to control the situation....lol....I am so glad you are healing and getting your strength back...but I do still worry that you might try to push things so make sure your team is on the same page as you, k?
Love ya...missed ya....and where in the hell is 12stepper?
xoxo
Stacey
I knew it wouldn't take you or Kat long to pick up on this...lol
Yes, my drs know and have left it up to me. I'm the only one that can gage my pain at this point. Motrin works wonderfully so there is no reason to keep taking them just because I have them. I don't like where my head goes with these in the house. I won't truly start to get better until they are gone. I am waiting until the end of the day to make sure I can handle it and then hubby's going to flush them.
Where is she??? And Brookie? Anyone hear from Duke or Sarah?
Yes, my drs know and have left it up to me. I'm the only one that can gage my pain at this point. Motrin works wonderfully so there is no reason to keep taking them just because I have them. I don't like where my head goes with these in the house. I won't truly start to get better until they are gone. I am waiting until the end of the day to make sure I can handle it and then hubby's going to flush them.
Where is she??? And Brookie? Anyone hear from Duke or Sarah?
here....hey!
where is our little duke fan???? missing that rascal. i have been stomping around in these tacky shoes trying to get her attention...but to no avail!
dadgummit. hhaahahahaha!
hey stacey! "hugs"...thank you for all the emails...i love them! s.
where is our little duke fan???? missing that rascal. i have been stomping around in these tacky shoes trying to get her attention...but to no avail!
dadgummit. hhaahahahaha!
hey stacey! "hugs"...thank you for all the emails...i love them! s.
Hi back at ya Sarah...
Lisa....heard from Brookie a few hours ago & also, finally, Kat checked in and said she's busy....me too, it is crazy here at work and hopefully, tomorrow when everyone that took vacation, get's back to work, I can breathe again.....
Have a wonderful evening ladies...hopefully, I can chat tomorrow....
xoxo
Stacey
Lisa....heard from Brookie a few hours ago & also, finally, Kat checked in and said she's busy....me too, it is crazy here at work and hopefully, tomorrow when everyone that took vacation, get's back to work, I can breathe again.....
Have a wonderful evening ladies...hopefully, I can chat tomorrow....
xoxo
Stacey
