Experiencing anxiety can sometimes be a natural part of life. However, individuals suffering from anxiety disorders often possess excessive and continuous fears regarding everyday situations. A new study has revealed that women of various age groups and young men with certain mood disorders are at a higher risk of developing chronic diseases. Researchers analyzed health data from the medical record linkage system of the Rochester Epidemiology Project, which included information from 40,360 adults in Olmsted County, Minnesota. This database continuously collects medical information from residents of the county.
The research team categorized adults into three age groups based on gender: 20, 40, and 60 years old. Each participant was classified according to their birthday celebration between 2005 and 2014. The study also included a follow-up on December 31, 2017. Additionally, participants were divided into four groups: those suffering from anxiety, those with depression, those with both anxiety and depression, and those without either condition.
It was found that women in all three age categories and men in their twenties suffering from depression or both anxiety and depression were significantly more likely to develop a chronic illness compared to those not affected by anxiety or depression. Some of the 15 chronic conditions observed in the study included high blood pressure, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and most types of cancer.
Jasmin Wiertz, a lecturer in psychology at the University of Edinburgh in the UK and not involved in the study, noted, "We tend to think of young people as healthy and fit, believing that chronic medical conditions only affect older adults. Unfortunately, this reality may differ for those suffering from mental illnesses." Among all the women participating in the study, those in their twenties were at the highest risk of developing chronic illnesses if they experienced anxiety and depression, with a 61% higher risk compared to participants without mental disorders. This likelihood decreased for women in their sixties suffering from only anxiety, which rose by 5% compared to those without anxiety or depression.
The study also indicated that male participants suffering from both anxiety and depression in the 20-year age group were more likely to develop a chronic illness, with an approximate 72% increase in risk compared to the healthy group. On the other hand, men experiencing anxiety in the 60-year age group were less susceptible, recording an 8% decrease in risk.
Women are generally diagnosed with anxiety disorders more frequently than men, and they are twice as likely to be diagnosed with depression, according to the Mayo Clinic. Bobo added that hormonal, biological, and psychological factors may also contribute to this. Wiertz pointed out that participants suffering from both anxiety and depression were also affected by multiple chronic illnesses, not just one or two.
