Positive emotions increase the health and well being of individuals. Such emotions are considered a therapy for conditions which may lead to depression. On the contrary, negative emotions such as sorrow, anxiety and fear increase risks of mental related illness. They narrow an individual’s perception on taking life positive that are known to promote wellbeing. Positive emotions encourage an individual to take action and persevere during life’s difficult moments in an attempt to promote their chances of survival. On the other hand, negative emotions increase the chances of suicidal cases (Turner, 2009, par. 4). A specific part of brain is responsible for the changes of individuals’ emotions. For example, Subthalamic Nucleus (STN) increases emotional processing when it is stimulated. Emotional disorders can be managed by the use of such antidepressants as citalopram and Reboxetine. The antidepressants help in the recognition of either negative or positive emotions on a patient. This essay seeks to find out the relationship between emotions and health. In addition, it will also explore the prevailing health effects associated with either positive or negative emotions.
Individuals with constant negative emotions mostly have suicidal thoughts. Such emotions are more often triggered by chronic illnesses. Individuals suffering from terminal illness mostly feel frustrated; they always wish that their life could come to an end in order to alleviate their sufferings. However, negative emotions due to poor health do not preclude positive emotions. Positive thoughts still exist and in fact help in mitigating the effects of chronic illness like pain (Fredrickson, 2007, par.1). Happiness increases positive thinking and sense of satisfaction in life amidst difficulties in life. Some individuals who suffer from chronic illness use positive emotions as a therapy. They constantly encourage themselves that they can make it in life regardless of their misfortunes.
Studies carried out on primary care patients who suffered from depression show a significant correlation between suicidal thoughts and emotional disorder. The correlation was positive on patients who suffered from severe chronic disorders. On the other hand, positive emotions and happiness had a negative correlation. Degree of happiness came out as a moderator linking chronic illness and anguish with suicidal thoughts. Individuals who experienced many happy moments registered fewer incidences of suicidal thoughts than those who had few happy moments. Individuals who cultivate positive emotions and happiness suffered from fewer health problems as opposed to those who were mostly sad and had negative emotions. Health outcome on happier people is attributed to more volitional behaviors, healthy relationships and greater enthusiasm towards future guided goals (Vicente & Biseula et al 2009, par.1)
Emotional changes are thought to be affected by Subthalamic Nucleus (STN). A study carried out by Schneider and colleagues in 2003 showed that stimulation of STN increased emotional processing. However, the study did not identify how to differentiate the emotions, that is whether they were positive or negative. Subthalamic nuclei play a significant role in emotional reactions, when stimulated it may trigger positive or negative emotions upon stimulation. Individuals who have positive emotions may have their STN triggered in order to increase the level of happiness. Happiness promotes a healthy life by reducing risks of diseases. However, it is difficult to regulate negative emotions since stimulation of STN does not indicate whether the emotions processed are negative or not (Schneider et al, 2003, par. 2).
Antidepressants increase the possibilities of recognizing positive facial emotion and decrease identification of negative facial emotions. The results of a study on the use of antidepressant showed that use of antidepressant increased the recognition accuracy. Antidepressants can be used to help patients who present with negative emotions in order to avoid any health complications. In the study two antidepressants were used, Citalopram and Reboxetine. However, Citalopram was found to be more effective especially in recognizing the symptoms like depression and anxiety. During the period of medication recognition for astonishment, happiness and disgust improved in the first two weeks and persisted for a period of up to six weeks. Improvement on happy face recognition within the first two weeks anticipated for a medical improvement at six weeks (Tranter, Bell & Harmer, 2009, par.3).
Negative emotions wreck havoc on both physical and mental health. In most cases the effect of negative thoughts is appreciated when individuals suffer from mental illness; however the effects on physical health is mostly ignored. Extended period of anxiety and stress may lead to psychological problems and heart diseases. Theses conditions together with emotions like anger, fear and insecurity can also trigger unusual body pains. Negative emotions also hamper quick recovery from either major or minor illnesses. In order to understand the effects of negative emotions on health, individuals need to aware of various body expressions. The face and eyes play great role in identifying the body’s symbolisms. A sad face signals negative emotions, eye problems may imply that an individual is running from reality. Body symbolism is viewed by the public and in most cases the public is able judge the individual’s emotional status as negative or positive (Turner, 2009, par.1).
The heart is a symbol of love; love can only be given by happy individuals. Heart diseases may be as a result of holding back love for others because of sadness. The back act as a support for the body, back problems especially the upper back are highly related to stress and feelings of financial insecurity. Indigestion may come as a result of failure to accept new experiences in life. Individuals lives in a constant state anxiety and fear of the unknown, instead of digesting and accepting the changes. This may eventually lead to stomach ulcers, stomach aches and heart burns due to high level of acidity in the stomach. Throat problem like tonsillitis and laryngitis may occur when an individual fails to express himself or herself freely through talking (Turner, 2009, par.2).
Negative emotions such as fear, anxiety, sorrow, insecurity and disgust affect have adverse effects on the health of individuals. Persons who consistently experience negative emotions are likely to suffer from either major or minor health problems. Persons suffering from chronic diseases are often preoccupied with suicidal thoughts due to frustration; they mostly wish they were dead. Antidepressants can be used to treat patients suffering from emotional disorders, the depressants aid in recognizing negative or positive emotions presented by the patients. The best medicine to negative emotion is the individual him/her self, an individual has to make a choice of being happy by taking life positive.
Reference
Fredrickson, B. (2002).Cultivating Positive Emotions to Optimize Health and Well-Being. Web.
Schneider, F., Habel, U., Volkmann, J., Regel, S., Kornischka, J., Sturm, V., et al. (2003).Deep Brain Stimulation of the Subthalamic Nucleus Enhances Emotional Processing. Web.
Tranter, R., Bell, D., & Harmer, C. (2009).The Effect of Serotonergic and Noradrenergic Antidepressants on Face emotion processing in Depressed Patients. Web.
Turner, K. (2009).Health Negativity –How Negative Emotions Harm Your Health? Web.
Vicente, S., Biseula, I., Peron, J., Philippot, P., et al. (2009). Subthalamic nucleus stimulation affects subjective emotional experience in Parkinson’s disease patients. Neuropsychologia, 47.