Death risk from minor mental illness

[Posted: Sun 05/08/2012 www.irishhealth.com]

People suffering from milder forms of mental illness can be at risk of dying earlier, new research has claimed.

The researchers, from University College London and Edinburgh University, expressed concern at their finding that even those with relatively minor mental illness could be at risk of earlly death, especially as these mental conditions often went undiagnosed.

The UK researchers looked at premature mortality from a number of serious conditions like cancer and cardiovascular disease in nearly 70,000 people.

The study indicated that suffering from conditions such as anxiety or depression could up your risk of premature death.

It found that the more signs of psychological distress in people, the higher their premature death rates.

But even low level mental health issues raised the risk of mortality by 16%, even when potential contributory factors such as drinking and smoking were accounted for.

More serious mental health problems upped the death risk by 67%, the researchers found.

According to lead author Dr Tom Russ : "the fact that an increased risk of mortality was evident, even at low levels of psychological distress, should prompt research into whether treatment of these very common, minor symptoms can modify this increased risk of death."

The study, funded by the Wellcome Trust, was published in the British Medical Journal.

devil's advocate  Posted: 15/08/2012 02:14

What a ridiculous statement these researchers have made!

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