The Intricate Link Between Mental and Physical Health: Why We Need Holistic Approaches

How can we continue to view mental and physical health as separate when they are intrinsically intertwined?

It is a common misconception that these two domains are entirely separate, based on outdated philosophies and the current medical system's focus on specialization. However, the reality is far more complex. While mental and physical health are distinct, they are also deeply connected, influencing each other in ways that cannot be ignored.

Why Mental and Physical Health Are Different Yet Linked

Distinct but Linked: Mental and physical health are different because they occupy different parts of our bodies and are typically addressed by different specialists. For instance, you wouldn't go to a hand specialist for mental health issues, nor would you go to a psychiatrist for heart surgery. Yet both can significantly impact each other. Anxiety, for example, can cause severe symptoms that affect both your mental and physical wellbeing.

Case Study: My Journey with Complex Health Challenges

Take my experience, for example. I have Bipolar Disorder I, multiple forms of anxiety, Borderline Personality Disorder, OCD, OCPD, and PTSD. The possibility of Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) is also on the radar. Each one of these conditions requires a specialized approach and treatment. It would be incredibly dangerous and ineffective to treat all these issues under the same umbrella. Just as I would not want to be hugged when I am, for instance, in a flare-up of OCD, I wouldn't want to be treated the same way as someone with a physical ailment.

Historical Context: The Dichotomy of Spirit and Body

The divide between mental and physical health is partly rooted in historical beliefs. Western philosophy and theology traditionally made a clear distinction between the spiritual (or immortal soul) and the physical (or mortal body). Mental health, derived from ancient Greek and Jewish thought, was often seen as separate from physical ailments.

It’s important to recognize that psychiatry, also known as allopathic medicine, is not exclusively Western. It is practiced globally, but it came into being around the 1800s. The current system, which heavily relies on specialization and a narrow focus on specific aspects of health, is indeed flawed.

The medical school education and the current healthcare system are geared toward this specialized approach, often at the expense of a holistic view. Many doctors are trained to see the body as a collection of separate parts, treating each issue in isolation, rather than viewing the patient as a whole person.

The Flaws in the Current Healthcare System

The current medical system has several significant flaws. For one, it doesn't adequately address the interconnected nature of mental and physical health. Psychologists rarely communicate with other healthcare professionals, which can lead to a fragmented approach to treatment. This lack of communication often results in patients feeling unheard and misunderstood.

Doctors are heavily focused on a specific area of expertise, such as nutritionists, who may spend a few days learning about it, compared to pharmaceutical experts who are immersed in drug research. This specialization can lead to a myopic approach and to missed opportunities for holistic care.

Misdiagnosis is another significant issue. Many doctors rely on familiar, predictable diagnoses like colds, flu, hypertension, diabetes, back pain, allergic rhinitis, arthritis, and skin conditions. If they are unable to discern the underlying cause, they might resort to more generic diagnoses such as anxiety, depression, somatoform disorder, malingering, and conversion disorder, which, despite being more politically correct, are still primarily used to categorize a patient rather than provide accurate treatment.

Specialists often have rigid boundaries and are not permitted to share information with other practitioners. For instance, a dermatologist is not allowed to discuss the results of an echocardiogram with the patient, even after the procedure. This lack of collaboration can significantly impact the overall care a patient receives.

Conclusion: Embracing a Holistic Approach

Effective healthcare must move beyond the current specialization framework and adopt a holistic approach. Mental and physical health are interconnected, and addressing one without considering the other can lead to incomplete and often ineffective treatment. By treating the whole person, healthcare providers can better understand the root causes of health issues and provide more tailored and comprehensive care.

It is time to recognize the intricate link between mental and physical health and work towards a healthcare system that truly understands and integrates both dimensions of health for better patient outcomes.