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Do depression lead to arthritis and anxiety disorders to skin diseases?
Mental illness often has serious consequences for the lives of those affected and can cause complications. Researchers have now found that young people with depression, for example, often develop arthritis and digestive system diseases. In addition, skin diseases often occur in young people with anxiety disorders.
The scientists of the University of Basel in Switzerland found in their study that depression and anxiety disorders often cause arthritis and skin diseases. The physicians published the results of their study in the journal "PLOS ONE".
Young people with mental health problems often develop sequelae. For example, physicians noted that depression in children and adolescents leads to arthritis and digestive system diseases. In contrast, anxiety disorders increase the likelihood of developing skin diseases. (Image: BillionPhotos.com/fotolia.com) Mental illnesses often lead to physical illnesses
The findings of the current study suggest that mental illness increases the risk factors for certain physical illnesses in early life, say the experts. The findings expand the understanding of the impact of mental health disorders on physical health and vice versa, the authors add.
Association of physical disorders and mental disorders detected
The study's physicians support the concept that integrated mental-physical health assessment is a good approach for early prevention and better treatment. The research group investigated the temporal pattern and the relationship between physical illnesses and mental disorders in children and adolescents.
Physicians are studying the data of just under 6,500 adolescents
For their study, researchers analyzed the data from a representative sample of 6,483 adolescents from the United States. All participants were between the ages of 13 and 18 years.
Mental disorders cause physical illness in adolescents
The researchers found that some physical illnesses are more common in children and adolescents who have previously suffered from certain mental disorders. Likewise, sufferers of certain mental illnesses tend to be more likely to experience certain physical illnesses.
Effects of mood disorders:
Affective disorders such as depression often lead to arthritis and digestive system diseases, the researchers explain in their study. The same relationship has also been noted between anxiety disorders and skin conditions, the authors add.
Effects of anxiety disorders and epileptic disorders
It has also been observed that anxiety disorders are more common in individuals who have previously suffered from heart disease. A close connection was also established for the first time between epileptic diseases and subsequent eating disorders, explain the doctors. "The results of our research provide important insights into the causal relationship between mental disorders and physical illnesses," say the authors of the study.
Possible reasons for the onset of depression
There are many reasons for the development of depression or anxiety. For example, hormonal changes can lead to illnesses. Another study found some time ago that the pill promotes depression. The time change is also the cause of much more depression. This condition is often referred to as winter depression.
For mental illness sufferers should seek medical help
But what can one do against developing depression? In such cases, it is inevitable to seek urgent professional medical attention. The treatment can then be individually very different. It was recently discovered at the University of Freiburg that, for example, regular warm-up baths are effective against depression. (As)