A new study has found that adults with a history of depression develop long-term physical health conditions about 30% faster than those without depression. The research, published on February 13 in PLOS Medicine, suggests that depression should be seen as a condition that affects the entire body, not just the mind.
The Connection Between Depression and Physical Health
Depression is the most common mental health condition worldwide and has been linked to various physical illnesses, including heart disease and diabetes. While previous studies have looked at how depression affects certain health problems, this study took a broader approach by examining a large number of physical conditions.
Researchers from the University of Edinburgh, led by Kelly Fleetwood, studied 172,556 adults between the ages of 40 and 71 who participated in the UK Biobank study. These participants underwent health assessments between 2006 and 2010.
The researchers tracked their health for an average of 6.9 years and monitored the development of 69 different physical conditions.
At the beginning of the study, people with a history of depression already had an average of three physical conditions, compared to two conditions in those without depression. Over time, people with depression developed 0.2 additional physical conditions per year, while those without depression developed 0.16 conditions per year.
Most Common Health Problems Linked to Depression
Among the new conditions that developed, the most common were:
- Osteoarthritis – 15.7% of people with a history of depression developed this condition, compared to 12.5% of those without depression.
- High blood pressure (hypertension) – 12.9% vs. 12.0%.
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) – 13.8% vs. 9.6%.
These findings show that depression is not just an emotional condition—it is also a strong risk factor for developing long-term physical illnesses.
The Need for Better Health Care Approaches
The study’s authors argue that current health care systems focus on treating single diseases rather than addressing the full picture of a person’s health. People with depression are at a higher risk of developing multiple chronic conditions, yet most health care services treat mental and physical health separately.
“We need health care services to take an integrated approach to caring for people who have both depression and long-term physical health conditions,” the researchers stated.
What This Means for Patients and Doctors
This study highlights the importance of managing both mental and physical health together. Doctors should monitor physical health more closely in patients with a history of depression, and treatment plans should address both mental and physical conditions at the same time.
For individuals with depression, prioritizing a healthy lifestyle, regular check-ups, and stress management may help reduce the risk of developing additional health problems.
By recognizing depression as a condition that affects the entire body, health care providers and policymakers can create better strategies to support long-term health and well-being.
If you care about wellness, please read studies about nutrients that could combat inflammation in older people, and essential foods for healthy aging.
For more health information, please see recent studies about the link between processed foods and chronic diseases, and a simple diet change for a healthier life after 65.
The research findings can be found in PLOS Medicine.
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