People with depression have a 36% higher risk of developing coronary heart disease, and depression, stress and dissatisfaction can increase the risk of stroke by 39%, according to research from the Order of Psychologists (OPP), published this Monday.
In the study, OPP’s Scientific Contribution: The Impact of Mental Health on Physical Health, published this Monday on the occasion of World Mental Health Day, OPP wants to encourage reflection on mental health issues that lead to physical illness.
Speaking to Lusa, OPP Vice President Sofia Ramalho said “very little has been said about the impact of physical illness on mental health” and vice versa.
“We have a number of physical illnesses in Portugal. [como a diabetes ou os AVC- Acidentes Vasculares Cerebrais] this is worrying. And at the same time, we have a higher prevalence of depression and anxiety than in the European Union. There is still little talk about physical and mental health as holistic levels of health,” he said.
Sofia Ramalho lamented what she sees as the country’s negligence in this matter, recalling: “The cost of this negligence falls not only on our physical well-being, but also on the economy itself. It is extremely irresponsible for the government to take no action on this matter.”
According to the OPP study, depression, stress and anxiety increase the risk of developing coronary heart disease by up to 36%, and the risk of developing coronary heart disease increases by 26-46%.
The risk of stroke also increases by 39%, and the risk of heart attack increases by 35%, as well as the risk of dying from heart problems by 17% and the diagnosis of physical illness by 35%.
The relationship between mental illness and physical illness is influenced by numerous behavioral factors such as physical activity, obesity, alcohol consumption, as well as psychological factors such as negative affectivity and demotivation.
There are social factors such as living in poverty.
OPP “requires comprehensive health interventions, interventions that take into account the interdependence of genetic, biological, behavioral, psychological and social factors and their impact on physical and mental health.”
As such, the document published this Monday includes recommendations such as investing in public health policies or early intervention in mental health.
Another recommendation is universal access to psychological interventions, as well as funding for research into health psychology or psychosocial risk prevention in organizations.
“Portugal spends millions on the consequences of chronic diseases such as diabetes, but on the other hand underestimates the role of psychological stress. It is imperative that the government itself invests in research into the true cost of the disease in order to invest in it. preventing it,” said Sofia Ramalho.
According to Lusa, the OPP vice president argued that “public policies also need to be supported by psychological science so that prevention and promotion strategies can be identified, for example, health-friendly behaviors or disease-adaptive lifestyles.” and mitigating the effects of disease.”
The OPP Vice President also proposed the introduction of tiered models in primary health care, as this organization will make access to mental health care universal and need-based.
In this sense, users’ responses will be much more tailored to their situations.
“I think that the state always pays great attention to economic issues, but there cannot be a real economy without health prevention,” he concluded.