Tag: air pollution

3 Unexpected Things Which Are Linked To Mental Illness

We all know that there are some things which correlate positively with mental illness: Stress, negative changes in economics, etc. But it’s more than that – and it’s some areas which you probably wouldn’t expect.

So, here are a three random items – well, seemingly random items – which are correlated with mental illness.

And a reminder straight out of Statistics 101: Correlation does not equal causation. Two items being linked doesn’t mean that one causes the other.

1) Air Pollution

I stumbled across this one while looking at the news, and it really surprised me, but here goes: Air pollution in children is positively correlated with worse psychiatric disorders, according to a study from Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center. The study also noted that already existing research had already established the connection in adults. So, as if we needed another reason to reduce air pollutions (besides all the asthma and death and climate change), here’s more. And, because life is deeply unfair if you’re poor, the study also found that the worst outcomes were reserved for kids who lived in disadvantaged neighborhoods.

2) Childhood infections

This one is, admittedly, not one I would have expected but when you think about it, it sort of makes sense.

According to a 2018 report, researchers in Denmark found links between certain infections and some mental illnesses, like depression, bipolar and schizophrenia. The theory here is that certain infections can activate the immune system. This, in turn, caused certain mental illnesses to set in.

This wasn’t a small study, either – it tracked 1.1 million Denmark children born over a seven year period.

3) Brain inflammation

I’ve actually discussed this one before, but there appears to be a connection between inflammation and depression. As noted in the link above, there is some research to indicate that anti-inflammatory drugs may be able to help reduce symptoms of depression.

Further research and writings have indicated that it is possible that inflammation is at the core of many physical and mental illnesses. As such, treating brain inflammation may be critical to reducing depression, anxiety and a whole array of other psychiatric disorders.

I’d actually argue that the brain inflammation one is the most interesting here. Why? Because the last article highlights just how much we know now compared to what we thought we knew years ago – and, of course, we will likely repeat that observation in the next ten years as well. What else will we learn? Will we be able to specifically engage in gene therapy to fight off mental illnesses? What kinds of treatments will evolve? It’s a fascinating question.

As always, I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below!

Five surprising factors which are connected to depression

One of the things which I’ve learned as I’ve studied depression and mental health is that the connections to depression are stronger and more broad than any of us really are aware. I suppose this shouldn’t be that surprising: After all, nearly one in five Americans actively suffer from some sort of mental illness, and those numbers are only going up. This means that the connections with depression are tragically broader than most of us probably realize.

But, the connections with depression run deeper – and more surprising – than I think any of us are really aware.

I’ve been unpleasantly surprised at how many things are connected to depression. Here are five such items, but with a note of warning straight out of an introduction to psychology class: Correlation does not equal causation. Just because something is connected to depression doesn’t mean it causes depression. The two are connected, but that doesn’t make them causational.

1) Air pollution: Here’s an interesting one. According to a study in England, children who live in high areas of air pollution are significantly more likely to have depression than children who don’t. It is certainly possible that pollution impacts brain development and causes depression, but it’s also possible that the same societal factors which lead to someone living in a polluted area have an impact on someone’s mental health.

2) Migraines: According to the American Migraine Foundation, people who have migraines are five times more likely to develop depression than people without them. Indeed, the more frequently someone has migraines, the more likely they are to develop depression. From a causational perspective, this makes sense, of course: Chronic disorders can have a significantly negative impact on someone’s health and state of mind. But, as the American Migraine Foundation notes, the direction of the link is not clear, and it’s certainly possible that depression can cause migraines, rather than the other way around.

3) Heart disease: This one is unsurprising, but there is a connection between heart disease and depression, and it seems to run both ways. According to the University of Iowa, “While being diagnosed with heart disease or having a heart attack may increase the risk of depression, depression itself may increase the chances of developing heart disease.” In other words, this relationship seems to run both ways.

4) Neuroinflammation: I’ve written about this one before but it is worth repeating: Inflammation of the brain appear together. That’s why anti-inflammatory drugs can help fight depression. Again, the direction of the relationship is at least somewhat unclear, but treating inflammation can help treat depression.

5) Vegetarianism: Of the five items I discuss here, this is the one that took me by the most surprise. A Psychology Today article linked being a vegetarian with depression, noting that there is ample research to suggest that the two are connected. As always, however: The direction of the connection is harder to suss out, and there is evidence to suggest that the two are not connected.