Physical Symptoms of Anxiety and Depression | Dr. McElya, Dallas

When Mental Health Affects the Body: Understanding the Physical Symptoms of Anxiety and Depression

Mental health is often discussed in terms of emotions and mood, but the body plays an equally important role. Anxiety and depression do not exist only in the mind. They often show up as physical symptoms such as fatigue, chest discomfort, headaches, or digestive issues, which can feel confusing or unrelated at first.

Recognizing these physical signs is an important step toward whole-person care. When mental and physical health are addressed together, patients are more likely to receive accurate evaluation and treatment that targets the root cause rather than isolated symptoms.

At Neighborhood Medical Center in Dallas, Texas, Dr. McElya approaches mental health through comprehensive primary care, helping patients understand how stress, anxiety, and depression can affect the body over time.

What Physical Symptoms Are Common With Anxiety and Depression?

Anxiety and depression can activate the body’s stress response, affecting the nervous system, hormones, and immune function. When this response stays active for long periods, physical symptoms often follow. These symptoms are real, measurable, and not imagined, even when medical testing does not immediately reveal a clear cause.

Common physical symptoms associated with anxiety and depression include:

• Racing heart or heart palpitations
• Shortness of breath or a tight feeling in the chest
• Persistent fatigue or low energy
• Headaches, neck pain, or muscle tension
• Changes in appetite or digestive discomfort

These symptoms may appear gradually or suddenly and can vary from person to person. Some adults notice symptoms during stressful periods, while others experience them consistently without a clear trigger. Because these signs overlap with many medical conditions, mental health factors are often overlooked during early evaluations.

Many patients feel discouraged after multiple appointments or tests that come back normal. Without connecting physical symptoms to mental health, individuals may feel dismissed or unsure where to turn next. A primary care approach that considers both physical and emotional health helps close this gap.

As Dr. McElya explains, “Many patients are surprised to learn how strongly anxiety or depression can affect their body, but once we connect those dots, it becomes much easier to create a plan that actually helps them feel better.”

Why Are These Symptoms Often Missed or Misunderstood?

Primary Care Supports Mental and Physical Well-Being 

Primary care plays a key role in identifying and managing anxiety and depression, especially when physical symptoms are present. Rather than treating each symptom in isolation, whole-person care focuses on how systems interact and influence one another.

Benefits of addressing mental health through primary care include:

• Identifying connections between physical symptoms and emotional stress
• Reducing unnecessary testing by addressing underlying causes
• Improving energy, sleep, and daily function
• Creating realistic treatment plans tailored to individual needs

Treatment plans may include lifestyle adjustments, stress management strategies, behavioral support, and when appropriate, medical therapy. The goal is not to minimize symptoms, but to understand them and respond in a way that supports long-term health.

Dr. McElya uses a whole-person approach to mental health care, recognizing that physical symptoms are often the body’s way of signaling that something needs attention. By addressing mental health alongside physical wellness, patients are better equipped to feel balanced, supported, and heard.

Listening to Your Body Is an Important First Step

Anxiety and depression can affect both how you feel emotionally and how your body functions each day. Physical symptoms are not a weakness or something to ignore. They are meaningful signals that deserve thoughtful evaluation and care.

If you are experiencing ongoing fatigue, chest tightness, headaches, digestive changes, or other unexplained symptoms, it may be time to look at your mental and physical health together. Early evaluation can provide clarity, reduce frustration, and help you move forward with confidence.

To learn more about mental health care, schedule a visit with Dr. McElya at Neighborhood Medical Center in Dallas today.