Could my physical problems be a result of mental ones?

Question:

I have experienced hair loss, lack of sexual interest, and other dreadful effects since I was just finished with puberty.I am now 19. I had terrifying audio/visual hallucinations from age 8 to age 15.and I have suffered severe on/off depression since I was 8. I starved myself for a month when I was 16, in order to lose 40 pounds.I now have nausea quite often, depending on which food I eat, or where I eat. I am also lactose intolerant, but only when it comes to drinking milk, it seems. The hair loss has not progressed to a "balding" stage.the parts in my hair became more noticeable when I was 16, and I haven't been able to grow full, thick bangs since I was 17. What is wrong with me? What have I done to my body? Is there any way I can fix it?

Answers:
I'm not sure if depression can cause hair loss, but from experience I can tell you that it can cause almost any other physical problem.

You need to get a professional diagnosis from your doctor so you can get the help you need, but until that happens, don't do anything drastic or unnecessary to your body like you claimed to have already done with the starving.

I can't fully answer your question without more detailed and thorough information from your medical history, but you can email me about this if you want.

You need more McDonald's in your diet.

Absolutely. Depression tends to make you prone to illnesses and other physical impairments. Like the old saying, "healthy mind, healthy body"

Sometimes the best way to tackle depression is simply to exercise, do more sports or even have a good time with buddies. for guys in particular I recommend venting out any frustrations by pushing weights. well it works for me!

You should share these concerns with your doctor.

the hair loss is possibly genetic/heredity
see a Dermatologist to confirm
seek professional advice from a psychologist and psychiatrist re: the depression

1st of all have you been to a Dr. to rule out why you are getting hallucinations and other problems? Hair loss could be result from poor nutrition. I had an ex boyfriend lose most of his hair after his Dr. put him on a liquid diet. I hope you are able to go to a Dr. and get a proper diagnosis.

wow..... go to a doctor you have problems beyond us

You have messed your self up bad. Or something has and you are punishing yourself for letting it mess you up.
You need to seek help go to the doctors ask to speak with a councillor. If you are 19 and in college most college have a free and confidential counselling service.
Eat properly, if you want to be "fixed" you have to make the first move, eat PROPERLY. Lay off the booze and if you take any recreational drugs STOP IT.
avoid foods that make you feel nausea but make sure you take a good quality multi vitamins, take long walks in the fresh air (yes even if it is raining)
And buy a puppy!

don't listen to the fallen Arch "McDonald's; try instead "Bob Evens" or better yet "Popey's Chicken" now there's aload of BS

Go to a doctor for your physical problems, go to a theripist for your emotional problems, and go get laid once you can.

There are many possible explanations. Exercise certainly couldn't hurt. You could be suffering from physical AND/OR mental problems. Perhaps you need psychotropic medication. In either case, you should see a good doctor.

In short, and not wishing to frighten you, yes. It's very important that you go to your doctor and tell him what you have shared with us. Be brave and ask him for a full evaluation by what my sister calls her 'Psycho' doctor. She had symptoms just like yours and was diagnosed as a schizophrenic. She has people talking to her and sees them, but is able to control them with medication. Once diagnosed, it took a while for her to get the medication level correct, but it was worth the discomfort as she is now able to live a full and happy life. Occasionally, she will have a lapse, but with a little alteration in her medication, she is back to 'normal'.
Please pluck up the courage and go to see your doctor. Your life is very important to us all and we want you to be happy.

i can tell a lot of people are going to leave stupid answers to this question, so i do apologise for them.

it sounds pretty likely that your problems could be the result of mental ones. having a mental illness doesnt mean youre crazy, stupid or weak, its just a disease like any other. and sometimes physical symptoms are your bodys way of crying out for help.

this si really getting you down, i can tell that just from what youve written. please talk to your doctor about this - there is so much that they can do - you dont need to suffer like this.

i understand how youre feeling, and maybe youre apprehensive about anti-depressants, but please give them a second thought. also, your doctor can give you time off work, or other herbal remedies, and also anti-nausea tablets, all of which can help reduce stress, and hopefully help you combat this.

good luck chick!

Yeah, sure. Lots of real physical problems start in the brain. It's caused psychosomatic illness & it creates real physical symptoms.

Some of the stuff you're suffering may be from that route, other stuff may be genuine physical stuff. It's also possible for physical problems (e.g. digestive intolerances) to cause the mental stuff you describe.

You'd need a psychiatrist (= trained to treat both mental & physical illness) to help you sort that one out, or if you're willing to try unusual stuff outside normal health services, a kinesiologist might be able to test what else apart from milk you could be allergic to. Once that's sorted, then you could start dealing with any mind problems with the help of either a professionally trained & experienced counsellor or psychotherapist.

Good luck! I hope it all works out for you.

Could my physical problems be a result of mental ones?

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