Mental Health And Life Expectancy – A Matter Of Life Or Death?
What’s the link between mental health and life expectancy? If you or someone you know has a mental health condition, this question may have crossed your mind – and you shouldn’t be ashamed about it. It’s normal to be concerned about whether having a mental health condition might affect how long you live.
Evidence has shown that there is a correlation between mental health and life expectancy, and unfortunately, the information paints a worrying picture. Some analyses have compared the impact on life expectancy to that of heavy smoking, while others have found that conditions such as depression, anxiety disorder and bipolar disorder actually accelerate biological ageing, resulting in an increase in age-related diseases.
Dr Manan Thakrar, Consultant Psychiatrist at The London Psychiatry Centre, says: “It’s important to acknowledge that just because an individual has a mental health condition, it does not mean that they are guaranteed to have a lower life expectancy or suffer from an age-related disease. It just means that there is a risk of the condition impacting life expectancy due to a number of different factors, which we will explore in further detail in this article. And remember, there’s support available to help mitigate these factors, which can both improve quality of life and help decrease the risk of premature death.”
Does mental health affect longevity?
The recent spike in interest in longevity has sparked research into whether poor mental health can impact how long we live and how well we age.
But first, what is longevity? It may seem like a medical buzzword, but longevity encompasses what many people see as their number one goal: to live longer and healthier lives. This widely shared goal has led to the formation of a relatively new area of medicine called ‘longevity medicine’, which aims to optimise all areas of an individual’s health in order to extend not just their lifespan, but their healthspan (the number of years that they will live in good health).
While there are a number of physical and environmental factors that can affect longevity – such as being physically active, dietary choices and genetics – recent findings have revealed that mental health can play a part, too.
What science reveals about the link between mental health and living longer
Scientific studies consistently show a strong association between mental health conditions and reduced life expectancy. In a systematic review of 109 studies published in The Lancet, it was found that the years-of-potential-life-lost for patients with mental health disorders was around 14 and a half.
This lines up with the findings of an analysis by Oxford University researchers, which found that, across 20 reported mortality risks in 20 different mental health disorders, all disorders had an increased risk of mortality, translating into a 10 to 20-year reduction in life expectancy (equivalent to or higher than that of heavy smoking). Substance use disorders and anorexia nervosa had the highest all-cause mortality ratios, while borderline personality disorder, anorexia nervosa, depression and bipolar disorder had the highest suicide risks.
Why is this the case? It’s not necessarily the mental health condition itself that shortens life, but rather the wider effects it can have. These might include reduced access to physical healthcare, difficulties maintaining healthy habits, increased risk of suicide, and the strain that long-term psychological distress places on the body.
In other words, mental health and physical health are closely connected. If your mental health suffers, it can affect the way you care for yourself, interact with others and manage other health conditions, all of which can influence your life expectancy.
Why mental health is literally a matter of life and death
Mental illness impacts your mental wellbeing, but it can also influence other aspects of your health, from your body’s physiological response to stress, to your risk of developing chronic diseases. For example:
- People with depression have a slightly higher risk of heart disease and stroke, according to researchers at the University of Cambridge.
- Those with severe mental illness (SMI) have a higher prevalence of obesity, diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and coronary heart disease, according to Public Health England.
- Those who have mental illness are less likely to attend regular check-ups or screenings for physical conditions, leading to late diagnosis and poorer outcomes.
Suicide also remains a major concern. According to figures from the World Health Organization (WHO), over 720,000 people die by suicide each year worldwide, and those with mental illness are at greater risk. This makes early intervention and ongoing support especially important.
Do people with mental illness age faster?
Research suggests that mental illness may speed up biological ageing. This doesn’t mean that someone will get grey hair or wrinkles earlier (although stress and premature grey hair have been linked), rather, it refers to the way the body’s cells age.
One way scientists measure biological age is by looking at telomeres, which are protective caps on the ends of DNA strands. Shorter telomeres are associated with ageing and disease. Studies have found that people with conditions like depression and anxiety tend to have shorter telomeres, even after accounting for other factors like smoking and poor diet.
There’s also evidence that long-term stress can affect the body’s hormonal systems, weaken the immune response and increase oxidative stress, all of which can accelerate the ageing process.
Why is life expectancy shorter with bipolar?
Bipolar disorder is associated with one of the most significant reductions in life expectancy among mental health conditions. On average, individuals with bipolar disorder live 13 years less than the general population.
Several factors may contribute to this:
Physical health risks: People with bipolar disorder are more likely to have conditions such as obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
Medication side effects: Some mood-stabilising medications can impact weight, metabolism or kidney function, requiring careful management.
High-risk behaviour: During manic episodes, people with bipolar disorder may take more risks with their health or safety.
Suicide risk: Unfortunately, the suicide rate is much higher among people with bipolar disorder – around 18% – especially if the condition is untreated or poorly managed.
Examples of how mental illness impacts life expectancy
Schizophrenia
Schizophrenia is linked to a reduction in life expectancy. This is due to a combination of factors: higher rates of smoking, poor access to physical healthcare, medication side effects and increased risk of cardiovascular disease. People with schizophrenia also face significant barriers in accessing regular health screenings and support services.
Bipolar disorder
As mentioned above, bipolar disorder brings a high risk of premature mortality due to both physical health issues and increased suicide risk. Regular monitoring of both mental and physical health is essential for improving outcomes. Unfortunately, many individuals find their traditional treatment lacking. Learn about our treatment programme, available exclusively at The London Psychiatry Centre, which gets better results than traditional treatment.
Depression
While often perceived as less severe than other conditions, depression can still significantly reduce life expectancy. People with depression may find it harder to stay active, eat well or seek help when they feel unwell. Long-term depression has been linked to heart disease, stroke and weakened immune function.
Fortunately, treatment options for depression are evolving. Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) is a non-invasive, evidence-based treatment for depression that offers a highly effective alternative to antidepressants. It’s pain-free and does not carry the typical side effects associated with medication. rTMS is particularly well suited to individuals who have not responded to antidepressants, or who prefer not to take them. By targeting specific areas of the brain involved in mood regulation, rTMS can help lift symptoms and support long-term recovery – improving quality of life and potentially reducing the wider health risks associated with untreated depression.
How to improve your mental health and life expectancy
Mental illness is more than just your mind. It can have real, measurable effects on your physical health and lifespan. But it’s important to remember that these risks are not set in stone. With the right care, support and early intervention, people with mental health conditions can and do live long, healthy lives.
If you have a mental health condition or family history of mental illness, you may be concerned about your child’s mental health. At The London Psychiatry Centre, we believe that prevention is key. Our early screening and prevention of mental health conditions service is designed to detect the subtle early signs of mental health problems in adolescents and young adults, particularly those who are experiencing psychological distress for the first time or who have a family history or mental illness, such as bipolar disorder or psychosis.
Our experienced clinician uses a holistic, evidence-based approach to assess mental health vulnerabilities and promote resilience, with the goal of reducing long-term risks and supporting good mental health from the outset. By recognising warning signs early, we can help prevent more serious issues from developing later in life.
If you’re concerned about your mental wellbeing or that of a younger person close to you, don’t wait. Seeking support early can make a meaningful difference, not only to quality of life, but also to long-term health and life expectancy.
Make an appointment with The London Psychiatry Centre by calling 020 7580 4224 or email info@psychiatrycentre.co.uk
