Researchers studied more than 2.3 million people over 30 years and found that being hospitalized for a mental disorder increased the risk of hospitalization for physical disease and earlier mortality.
The trends were consistent across all participants, and remained even after accounting for preexisting physical conditions.
"We found that all mental disorders were associated with risk of later physical diseases," lead author Leah Richmond-Rakerd, PhD, an assistant professor of psychology at the University of Michigan, tells Verywell. "So there do seem to be common mechanisms across disorders."
Still, this trend can be more than just a warning sign. "This is encouraging from a prevention standpoint because it means that treating any mental disorder in early life could be beneficial for later physical health," Richmond-Rakerd says.
Read the full article at verywellhealth.
