Why do people with mental illness have poor physical health and premature death?

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) – Mental illnesses are the cause of death for those affected, about 20 years younger than the rest of the world. A new report noted that governments and health care providers must do more to prevent deaths.

"Disparities in the physical health outcomes of people with mental illness at the present time are a human rights scandal," said Joseph Firth, a researcher at the University of Manchester and Chairman of the Lancet Psychiatric Committee, which published the research.

His team analyzed about 100 studies and found that most people with mental illness die prematurely not from a suicide, but from a "largely unhealthy" physical condition.

The researchers found that people with mental disorders were at risk of developing cardiovascular diseases such as diabetes and stroke. Depressed people, for example, have a risk of heart disease, diabetes or 40% higher obesity.

Mental illness can increase the risk of physical illness, and physical illness itself increases the risk of mental illness, said Firth, adding that "obesity or diabetes increase the risk of mental illness, and vice versa. "

Sometimes the treatment of a mental illness can aggravate physical health problems. The report found, for example, that many medications used to treat mental illnesses, including antidepressants, and mood stabilizers can have negative effects on metabolism and heart health.

People with mental illness receive less care

The report found that all mental illnesses are associated with some lifestyle risk factors because "people with mental illness tend to have an unhealthy lifestyle compared to others".

According to the researchers, people suffering from major depression are more likely to smoke, for example, and follow a much worse diet than others. About 1 in 5 people suffer from anxiety disorders and alcohol abuse, and people with social phobia do less physical activity.

The report found that mortality among people with mental illness remained high even after taking into account risk factors such as smoking, physical activity and body mass index. According to the researchers, this suggests that people with mental illness receive less care than those without mental problems.

Researchers say the reason is unclear, but one possible explanation is that doctors mistakenly attribute physical symptoms to existing psychological problems, which leads to errors in some diagnoses.

The report also found that people with mental illness are less likely to undergo medical and surgical procedures. Health services may be intolerant or at least perceived as mentally ill.

a healthy mind in a healthy body

"It is clear that there is deliberate neglect of mentally ill patients because of stigma and discrimination in some areas because people are not interested in them," Firth said. All aspects of health. "

Firth emphasized that health systems strive to provide better care. "Global health authorities and national health authorities are doing their best to try to solve these health problems," he said, "to help patients and reduce costs.

Firth stressed the need to start addressing the body and mind together.