New research shows that people with long-standing mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder are biologically older than their actual chronological age. Getty Images
If you’re one of the millions of Americans living with a mental disorder, your body may be older than you think.
A new study presented at the European Psychiatric Congress in Paris this weekend found that people with long-standing mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety and bipolar disorder were more likely to be biologically ill than their actual chronological age. It has been shown to be scientifically outdated.
King’s College London researchers Dr Julian Mutz and Dr Cathryn Lewis examined blood metabolites (small molecules produced during metabolic processes such as lipids, cholesterol and amino acids) in over 110,000 UK residents. They found that people with mental illness have a “metabolic profile” that indicates they are older than they really are.
“For example, people with bipolar disorder had blood markers that indicated they were about two years older than their chronological age,” says Mutz. Released before presentation.
The findings complement previous research by Mutz and colleagues who found that people with mental disorders tend to live shorter lives and have health problems such as diabetes and heart disease.a A 2002 study by Mutz People with anxiety, depression, and bipolar disorder were found to be more likely to be medically frail, a condition at increased risk of death.
People with severe mental health conditions can die as early as 20 years from “preventable physical conditions.” According to the World Health Organization.
The study highlights an opportunity for physicians to track the metabolic profile of patients with psychiatric disorders and use changes in such profiles to assess the effectiveness of health interventions, says Mutz.
How to slow down biological aging
Fortunately, there are steps patients can take to slow biological aging, says Mutz. luck. Factors that accelerate biological aging in people with mental illness include:
- Lack of exercise
- smoking
- autonomic overreaction
- chronic mild inflammation
- social isolation/loneliness
“These factors are known to have adverse health effects, and addressing these risk factors is beneficial,” he says. Possible actions include:
- Increased physical activity, possibly through regular strength and strength training
- Quit smoking if applicable
- Forming and maintaining positive relationships
Such lifestyle changes may also reduce mental health symptoms. However, he adds, “it’s hard to achieve for people who are severely unwell.” “Treatment for their mental health symptoms, whether through psychological, pharmacological, or other therapies, should always be considered with a physician.
