Expressing Yourself May Save Your Life

According to a recent study conducted by Dutch researchers, heart patients with poor health outlooks were found to be less likely to complain to their physicians or nurses about their conditions.  The study in fact concluded that people with type D personalities (a person prone to worry, depression, fear and distress), tended to avoid expressing themselves for fear of being rejected by others.  This inability to express one’s frustrations or fears was correlated with a greater likelihood to experience a more negative state of health.

While scientists have long known that a poor outlook in general can contribute to poor states of health, more and more research is proving this connection.  For people who are suffering from depression and anxiety, the chances of a full recovery after surgery tend to be much less than those with more positive attitudes.

In the study of the heart patients it was found that those with the so-called personality type D were less likely to even call for help from a doctor or nurse when they experienced an event of heart failure.  These patients were also six times more likely than those with a more positive attitude to experience a poor state of health overall.

In an interesting turn in the study, however, it was found that those persons with less positive outlooks reported more successful marriages when their partners were likewise less than enthusiastic about life.  As the old saying goes, misery loves company.  Thus, a type D person with a sunny partner made for a difficult marriage.

Again this study and others like it show that negative outlooks have a severe impact on overall health.  Depression and anxiety are correlated with physical illnesses, making mental and emotional health extremely important to our life expectancies. 

Fear of expressing ourselves can lead to frustration, resentment and depression.  So instead of bottling it all up, take the time to seek out a friend, confidante, health care provider or counsellor who can offer an ear to listen.  Taking the time to take care of your emotional health will have a variety of positive health benefits and may, one day, even save your life.