Can Inflammation Result in Mental Illness? What Studies Show

Can inflammation result in mental illness? While there has been some evidence from past studies that inflammation affects the brain, it wasn't clear whether inflammation has any link with mental illness.

Well, until now.

A new study has found that children who suffer heavy inflammation are more at risk of developing serious mental disorders like depression and schizophrenia in early adulthood. Some may also experience cardiometabolic conditions like insulin resistance.

The research team led by the University of Birmingham used data from Children of the 90s. 6,556 participants were studied, half from each gender.

Their inflammation levels at ages 9, 15, and 17 were noted.

Those whose inflammation levels were highest at a younger age, i.e. age 9, were more likely to develop depression and psychosis at age 24.

Read the full research here.

Apparently, inflammation during childhood is a strong indicator of depression and schizophrenia.

What we still don't know is whether inflammation "causes" mental illness or merely "indicates" that mental illness will develop soon.

At any rate, knowing that childhood inflammation increases one's risk of developing mental illness can help. By identifying who’s at risk, we may be able to apply interventions early enough. Of course, early intervention is the best way to address mental health problems.

Perhaps inflammation marred your childhood. If you're living with depression, schizophrenia, or any psychiatric disorder now as an adult, you can still get help.

Whether it's due to childhood trauma, inflammation, or genetics, it’s never too late to address it.

At Hope Mental Health, we deploy several techniques—from psychotherapy to medication—to bring you the relief you need.

Get in touch today.

Author

Satu H. Woodland, PMHCNS-BC, APRN Satu Woodland is owner and clinician of Hope Mental Health, an integrative mental health practice located at Bown Crossing in Boise, Idaho. She sees children, adolescents, and adults.  Ms. Woodland with her background in nursing, prefers a holistic and integrative approach to mental health care that addresses the mind and body together. While Ms. Woodland provides medication management services in all her patients, she believes in long-lasting solutions that include a number of psychotherapies, namely cognitive behavioral therapy, exposure and response prevention therapy, attention to lifestyle, evidenced based alternative psychiatric care and spirituality. If you’d like to gain control over your mental health issues, call Hope Mental Health at 208-918-0958, or use the online scheduling tool to set up an initial consultation.