Millions of Australians have physical and mental health problems, according to a new report, and it is the first time that the link between diabetes, back pain and slow venereal disease such as mental health has been revealed.
The report, prepared by (AHPC), an Australian health policy partnership at the University of Victoria, (Victoria University), found that 2.5 million people faced mental and physical problems in their lives.
The study found that there was a significant link between the two-people with chronic physical health problems had a higher risk of mental illness and those with poor mental health were more likely to develop physical illness.
Comprehensive health conditions affect welfare and education, health services and costs, productivity, employment and social participation, the report said.
Men with mental health conditions are more likely to develop circulatory diseases than the general population, while patients with mental illness are 41 percent more likely to develop circulatory diseases, according to the study.
Men with mental health were 74 percent more likely to report back pain, while women were 68 percent more likely to report back pain.
Women are 23 percent more likely to suffer from mental and physical illness than men.
"improving the physical well-being of people with mental illness, and vice versa, must be a priority in improving the health of all Australians," the report said.
"people with chronic diseases, such as heart disease, arthritis, back pain, diabetes, asthma and cancer, should also regularly assess mental health problems for prevention and early intervention."
People with mental health also need regular physical checkups, the report said. For the first time, the study quantified the combined effects of physical and mental ill-health.
"We know that there is strong evidence that mental health problems have a negative impact on people already suffering from chronic diseases, and that equally strong evidence suggests that mental health problems increase the risk of each major chronic disease, "AHPC consultant Firth (Allan Fels) said.
Eindley (Rosemary Ainley), who was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis in her 30s, managed to deal with it.
But a few years later, when the drugs she took caused her to develop type 2 diabetes and cataracts, the situation began to worsen.
"it was terrible because I lost my eyesight, and then I tried to repair it through surgery." "it's a lot of trauma," she said.
She began a part-time job and spent most of her time at home, living on a disability pension.
"when I was 44, it was really sad to be told it was hard to find a job that I could do," Eindley said.
She said it became extremely difficult to go out, which hit her mental health.
"I always try to figure out what your body will be like, can I go to that party? Will there be a chair that will let me sit down? " She said. "you realize that you are different from others."
Eindley, 48, can only seek professional help with mental health problems, just as he does with his chronic health problems.
She has now found effective treatments, including doing yoga once a week and running a support team for young women with arthritis.
Other people with chronic illnesses, she says, feel impaired to their mental health and should seek help.
"talk to your family doctor about how to develop a mental health plan and seek counseling. You're not alone."