Toxins are present everywhere in the environment, and they can reach your body in the most surprising ways. Besides the pollutants in the air, pesticides in food, and contaminants in water, toxic chemicals have several more routes to attack humans. The daunting concern is that you may unknowingly expose yourself by using chemical cleaners, cosmetics, and personal care products every day. Medicines are laced with toxins, while paints, polishes, and garden fertilizers have them too. Whatever the source of toxins, prolonged exposure leads to dire health risks.
The Camp Lejeune water contamination disaster is one of the most prominent instances of toxin-induced damage. Countless residents were exposed to the contaminants in the local supplies and suffered from health conditions like different types of cancers. Women had miscarriages, and children were born with birth defects. Typically, all toxins have similar health outcomes. But the surprising fact is that they can also have severe mental health implications. Let us highlight the mental health risks of toxin exposure.
Reduced cerebral blood flow
When toxins enter the bloodstream, they reach all the organs of the body, and the brain is no exception. Brain imaging studies indicate that they reduce cerebral blood flow, which can lead to severe mental issues such as depression, schizophrenia, and bipolar disorder. Children are at a high risk of developmental disorders such as attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Conversely, older adults may develop Alzheimer’s disease due to impaired blood flow to the brain over the years.
Imbalance in hormones
Exposure to toxins can disrupt the endocrine system, which regulates the production of hormones that keep the vital systems on track. Most people associate hormones with reproductive health, but they do much more. Hormonal imbalance affects your mental well-being as much as your physical health. In fact, severe imbalances can increase the risk of anxiety, depression, and panic attacks.
Neurobehavioural effects
Neurobehavioral effects relate to the changes in a person’s behaviour due to toxin-induced damage to the brain. These are different from neurologic disorders such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease. The symptoms of neurobehavioral problems include headaches, sensory disturbances, lack of coordination, trouble concentrating, confusion, depression, and tension. Learning or behavioural disorders may happen in more severe cases. Unfortunately, victims and their families tend to overlook these signs because they seem ordinary. Countless Camp Lejeune victims reported these signs. The good thing is that a water contamination lawyer can help them claim compensation for the problems caused by exposure to toxins. Undermining mental health problems is the last thing victims must do.
Fatigue and lethargy
When contaminants enter your body through air, water, food, and skin, they accumulate within your organs and slow them down. You may end up experiencing fatigue when the toxic load in your body increases. Your organs cannot eliminate them effectively due to the slowdown of the detox process. Eventually, you become lethargic and stressed, and these factors affect your mental well-being in the long run.
Sleep deprivation
Sleep deprivation is a severe health problem though people often ignore it. Not getting enough can affect your physical and mental health over time. But it may happen due to reasons beyond a poor sleep routine and overuse of digital devices. The increased toxic load can keep you awake, and the sleep deprivation problem becomes full-blown insomnia sooner than you imagine. It leads to lapses in concentration, irritability, and learning problems over time.
DNA damage
Another severe form of damage that prolonged toxin exposure can inflict on your body is DNA damage. It can cause behavioural issues such as mood swings, anxiety, irritability, and poor memory. The more disconcerting thing about DNA damage is that it may accelerate the ageing of the brain. Seniors are at a higher risk, so they should go the extra mile to avoid environmental chemicals and contaminants. Likewise, pregnant women should also build their defences against such hazardous chemicals. Failing to do so can cause developmental delays and birth defects in the baby. Maternal anxiety can affect fetal growth and health as well.
Takeaway
Toxin exposure has adverse health implications beyond the body. They can affect your mental health in more than one way. But lack of awareness is a grave concern as most people tend to watch out for physical symptoms of toxic load and fail to notice the signs of mental health issues. Prevention should be the top priority, but victims should seek treatment for mental issues as well. The sooner you get help, the better your chances to resolve the issue before it aggravates.
Ellen Diamond did her degree in psychology at the University of Hertfordshire. She is interested in mental health, wellness, and lifestyle.
