Mental health is physical health, new study suggests
A new study indicates a correlation between depression and an increased likelihood of developing chronic physical health issues, highlighting the intricate link between mental and physical well-being, Kazinform News Agency reports.
The study featured in PLOS Medicine examined data from more than 172,500 adults aged 40 to 71 who took part in the UK Biobank study. Over a span of seven years, researchers monitored participants to observe the emergence of 69 chronic physical conditions.
Starting out, 18% of the participants had a prior diagnosis of depression. Individuals in this group presented with an average of three long-term physical health conditions, whereas those without a history of depression averaged only two.
Over time, individuals with a history of depression experienced the onset of additional conditions at a rate 30% faster than those who did not have such a history.
Conditions frequently linked to depression were osteoarthritis (15.7% compared to 12.5%), high blood pressure (12.9% versus 12.0%), and gastroesophageal reflux disease (13.8% versus 9.6%).
Experts emphasize that existing healthcare systems are inadequately prepared to address the needs of individuals facing both mental and physical health challenges.
“We identified a higher rate of accrual for comorbid physical health problems in people with a history of depression compared to those without. Our findings highlight that depression should be viewed as a ‘whole body’ condition, as well as the importance of integrated approaches to managing both mental and physical health outcomes,” the study concludes.
An earlier study revealed the negative effects of short video consumption on mental and emotional health, leading to disrupted sleep, shortened attention spans, and emotional instability.
