Psychological distress may stir up images of tossing and turning in bed, unable to fall asleep. Some people with poor mental health may be uninterested in eating (or engage in binge eating). We also attribute day-to-day fatigue and irritability to everyday challenges at school and the workplace.
Beyond these handful of signs, most of which we ignore, not many people acknowledge that mental health disorders can trigger palpable physical symptoms. Moreover, the severity and frequency of these signs may be high enough to make us fret. We become apprehensive that it could signal an undiagnosed physical illness.
As we strive to understand psychological functioning more thoroughly, its connection to physical manifestations is becoming clearer. Mental health professionals now watch out for these symptoms in their patients to assess individual cases with more clarity and perspective.
Recurring Gastrointestinal Problems
An upset stomach isn’t the first thing we think of when considering mental health issues. However, lately, several research studies have shown that gastrointestinal distress may be linked to mood disorders like depression.
A 2025 Springer publication observes that our gut microbial composition and bodily inflammation may influence depressive symptoms, although researchers are still examining the nature of this relationship. Studies like these are leading the discussion on dietary components, such as probiotics and prebiotics, that may support mood regulation.
The gut-brain axis may also explain the unsettling gurgling some of us experience in the abdomen during a stressful or anxiety-inducing episode.
“Stress hormones like cortisol are released in response to stress or anxiety, and that further affects gut function or motility, which can contribute to bloating, cramping, diarrhea, and constipation.” – Kelley Phan, Gastrointestinal Behavioral Health Psychology Expert, Northwestern Medicine.
While occasional upsets may not be much to worry about, persistent gastric issues like nausea and irritable bowel syndrome demand a thorough examination. Once physical reasons have been ruled out, a mental health checkup can be insightful.
Unexplained Pain
As many people now lead hectic and chaotic lives, bodily pains have become widespread. A headache is among the best-known manifestations, causing us to be frustrated. The WHO notes that headaches are among the top three neurological conditions across all age groups, impacting 40 percent of the population.
We may assume headaches are a result of excessive screen time or lack of proper sleep. However, mental health professionals need to consider the various causes of recurring, unexplained headaches. They may also be linked to psychological distress. A 2025 study in the Journal of Pain assessed adults with chronic headaches. More than 43 percent also had clinically significant depressive symptoms. Over 45 percent showed anxiety symptoms.
Besides headaches, mental health problems can also be linked to other types of physical pain, including muscle tension and backache.
One challenge here is to address this possibility with patients who understate their physical pain or deny a connection with mental health. The American International College explains that cultural and socioeconomic factors can shape mental health. These factors can also become obstacles in diagnosis and treatment if the patient feels stigmatized.
Many counselors now receive training in culturally responsive care to address this situation. Some online Master’s in Mental Health Counseling programs focus on multicultural counseling skills, which can also be useful for professionals seeking licensure. These competencies help them reach out to patients in more empathetic ways that align with their sociocultural beliefs.
Cardiac Symptoms
Psychiatric conditions can also cause symptoms that seem cardiac-related. These could be trouble breathing and palpitations. Some people with severe anxiety can experience chest discomfort. These physical sensations can be highly worrying for patients since they assume they’re going through a cardiac episode.
However, in several cases, they may not have an underlying health condition. If wellness checks and diagnostics indicate that cardiac concerns are unlikely, these signs could indicate a mental health concern.
That said, undiagnosed and unmanaged stress and anxiety may eventually make a person more susceptible to developing cardiac troubles. The American Heart Association explains that stress is closely associated with heart health. It also highlights that people with positive psychological health may have a lower overall risk of heart disease.
Is the Condition Physical or Psychological?
| Symptom | Possible Mental Health Connection | When to Seek Medical Evaluation |
| Recurring stomach pain, nausea, bloating, diarrhea, or constipation | Stress, anxiety, and depression | If symptoms are accompanied by weight loss, fever, or other challenges that interfere with daily life. |
| Frequent headaches | Chronic stress, anxiety, or depression | If headaches are sudden, severe, and worsening. |
| Muscle tension or back pain | Ongoing psychological distress | If pain follows an injury, limits movement, and does not improve. |
| Chest discomfort, palpitations, or shortness of breath | Anxiety or panic attacks | Seek prompt evaluation for new, severe, or persistent chest pain, difficulty breathing, or suspected heart-related symptoms. |
| Low energycan contribute to persistent fatigue. | Depression, chronic stress, anxiety, and poor sleep | If fatigue is prolonged, unexplained, or accompanied by fever and weight changes. |
Caution is Crucial in Diagnosis and Treatment
It can be confusing to distinguish physical signs from possible causes, or lack thereof. As updated professionals who understand that poor mental health can have far-reaching consequences, considering all possibilities is important during counseling.
At the same time, it would be a mistake to dismiss physical symptoms just because the diagnostics didn’t support them. It can take years for some people to get the right diagnosis in both areas: physical concerns like endometriosis and mental health problems like borderline personality disorder. For cardiac concerns, it is far too common for legitimate issues to get ignored as anxiety until managing them becomes much more difficult.
It is a two-way street. As professionals, we can manage it by developing a more supportive and collaborative care framework that considers the entire health spectrum for a patient. It will help guide people whose concerns are often dismissed or misdirected due to their age, functioning capacity, or emotional experiences.