Dubai, United Arab Emirates (CNN) – It has been recognized that people with mental disorders are more likely to have age-related illnesses, but not necessarily to be at greater risk of premature aging, yet.
A study published Wednesday in the journal “JAMA Psychiatry” found that suffering from mental disorders early in life may lead to deteriorating physical health and accelerate aging in adulthood.
Study participants who had greater diversity and persistence of mental disorder symptoms in adulthood, i.e. higher scores in mental disorders in general, were biologically advanced by a factor of about 5.3 years, between the ages of 26 and 45, compared to participants who got the lowest. Grades.
Disorders that individuals at greatest risk experienced when they were younger include anxiety, depression, substance abuse and schizophrenia.
In addition, these individuals also had more difficulties with hearing, vision, balance, motor functioning, and cognition.
Independent observers who viewed photos of this group without knowing anything about them rated them as looking older.
Given that the study authors controlled for many other factors that could accelerate aging, such as gender, body mass index, smoking, childhood health and abuse, and socioeconomic status, the report revealed that “there is another factor indicating potential Some kind of basic biological process is occurring, according to Elizabeth Walker, an associate professor of research at the Rollins School of Public Health at Emory University in Atlanta, who was not involved in the study.
These results come from the Dunedin Longitudinal Study, which monitored and tested the biological, physical and mental health of about 1,000 New Zealanders from their birth in 1972 or 1973 until they reached the age of 45.
“Normally, the onset of these age-related chronic diseases is definitely at a later age,” said lead author Yasmine Wertz, a postdoctoral fellow with the Moffitt and Kaspi team at Duke University in North Carolina. “When we think about aging, we think.” In the elderly, people who have reached their end of 50s, mid-60s, or even older. “
“Aging outcomes are not measured even before people reach this age, however, what we see here is that when you measure these outcomes, you can see that people who have had that experience of mental health problems are actually showing faster aging,” Wertz said. It appears relatively young. “
Dr. Benjamin Drus, Professor and Chair of Rosalyn Carter Mental Health at Emory University’s Rollins School of Public Health in Atlanta, who was not involved in the study, said the study “helps further to connect the points between what is known about the link between mental disorders and health problems. Physical, including premature deaths. “
Links between mental disorders and aging
There are some possible reasons why mental disorders lead to faster aging, whether these causes are the result of unhealthy habits and stress associated with mental disorders, or because of the psychological disorders themselves.
For example, people with mental health problems are more likely to get less exercise or eat a worse diet, which is associated with aging faster, Wertz said.
Wirtz explained that people with mental health problems, and sometimes also related physical conditions, often struggle to obtain adequate care, which is a “stressful experience”.
This group is also more vulnerable to violence and stigma, and mental disorders can affect the body, often regardless of how people take care of themselves.
“If you suffer from pre-existing neurological problems, or perhaps if you have a genetic predisposition, this may also contribute to the risks of both mental health problems as well as faster aging,” Wertz noted.
The study indicated that stress increases the circulation of stress hormones and inflammation, which may lead to faster aging and subsequent illnesses.
“We think of depression as a disease that arises in the brain with chemical disturbances and things like that,” said Dr. Brent Forster, a board member of the American Psychiatric Association of Geriatric Psychiatry and chair of the Center of Excellence in Geriatric Psychiatry at McLean Hospital in Massachusetts, “We think of depression as a disease that arises in the brain with chemical disturbances and things like that. But depression may be a disease.” Systemically it affects the whole body. “
One limitation of the study is that the authors stop observing adults at age 45, so whether their accelerated aging will persist and manifest as chronic diseases is unknown.
Forrester believes that “the older you get, the more likely some of these medical problems will appear earlier than later.”
Standardization of mental and physical health care
The results suggest that with improved prevention, early recognition and better treatment for mental health problems, health professionals may be able to reduce and delay aging and physical illnesses later on.
“There is an opportunity, especially since these mental health problems … often occur relatively early in the life course compared to physical illnesses,” Wertz said.
“People with mental health problems are indeed a top priority group that should be monitored as much as possible for signs of faster aging,” Wertz added. “To be able to do this, you need great integration between health care systems for mental health problems and those with mental health problems.” Those with physical health problems, because at the moment they are separated.
Mental disorders can be so debilitating that a person cannot keep up with healthy habits, and this challenge may be exacerbated by the pandemic.
Wertz noted that seeking professional help for diagnosis, treatment and drug administration is easier said than done, but if you can, it is better than “expecting to manage these problems yourself and move on.”
Meanwhile, if you have the stamina, “a healthy lifestyle is the key to preventing age-related disease and in preventing aging faster,” Wertz said.
Wirtz advised that any amount of physical activity, safely socializing with others, limiting smoking and eating healthy food can help reduce inflammation in the body, among other benefits.
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