Scientists have explained the impact of mental disorders on longevity

People with severe mental disorders, on average, die earlier than the general population. A new study by Australian scientists has shown that the gap in life expectancy persists, despite a slight decrease in mortality over the past 14 years. The article "Izvestia" explains why physical illnesses are becoming one of the main factors in the premature death of people with mental disorders.

How different is life expectancy?

Researchers from the University of Queensland analyzed data on the mortality of approximately 255 thousand patients observed in the healthcare system of the Australian state of Queensland. The analysis lasted for 14 years and included people with various severe mental disorders, including depressive, neurotic and stress-related disorders, disorders related to alcohol and illicit substance use, as well as psychotic disorders, including schizophrenia.

A study published in the Lancet Regional Health — Western Pacific (LRH) journal found that men with psychiatric disorders die on average 12 years earlier than the general population, and women 10 years earlier. We are talking about the difference in life expectancy, and not about the fact that every person with a mental disorder will necessarily live 10-12 years less.

The authors note that a similar gap is observed in other countries. However, its value depends on the specific diagnosis, age, healthcare system, and other characteristics of the study group.

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The gap is closing, but not for everyone.

Over the 14 years of follow-up, mortality among people with severe mental disorders has decreased. This means that the gap with the rest of the population has been gradually narrowing. However, the dynamics turned out to be different for different groups of patients.

The researchers observed the most noticeable changes among people with certain mood disorders, neurotic and stress-related disorders, as well as disorders related to alcohol and illicit substance use. At the same time, mortality rates among patients with psychoses, including schizophrenia, remained virtually unchanged.

Why are people with mental disorders more likely to die earlier?

One of the main results of the work was the identification of the causes of excess mortality. According to the researchers, physical illnesses are the main factor, not just the mental disorder itself. Cardiovascular diseases, many of which can be prevented and treated, play a particularly important role.

Other studies also point to the connection of mental disorders with physical health. In August 2026, a major study involving more than 4.8 million people with severe mental disorders from Denmark, Finland, France, Poland and Sweden was published in The Lancet Public Health journal. From 2004 to 2023, researchers recorded more than 561,000 deaths.

The overall mortality rate among people with severe mental disorders was 2.64 times higher than in the general population. At the same time, cardiovascular diseases accounted for the greatest absolute excess mortality. The relative difference was especially noticeable for diseases of the respiratory system, endocrine and metabolic diseases.

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How mental and physical health are related

The reasons for this difference can be complex. In a new study, scientists name the side effects of certain medications, including weight gain, as well as decreased physical activity, among possible factors. At the same time, the authors themselves do not reduce the problem to lifestyle or therapy: we are talking about a combination of factors affecting the physical health of people with mental disorders.

Receiving medical care for physical illnesses remains a separate problem. A systematic review published in the journal EClinicalMedicine included 79 studies and showed the presence of diagnostic differences in the provision of physical medical care to people with mental disorders.

In 37 studies, there was a reliable comparison group, and in 29 of them, the presence of a mental disorder was statistically significantly associated with an increased risk that a physical problem would remain undiagnosed or be detected late. In 14 of the 15 studies that separately assessed the role of medical professionals and the healthcare system, signs of diagnostic errors were also found.

The authors of the review note that the reasons for such differences cannot be explained by one factor. They may be related to the specifics of seeking medical help, as well as to the work of specialists and healthcare organizations.

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How does diagnosis affect life expectancy?

The difference in life expectancy significantly depends on the specific mental disorder. This was shown by another systematic review and meta-analysis of the EClinicalMedicine journal. It includes 109 studies from 24 countries and regions, which involved more than 12.1 million people with mental disorders.

In the combined sample, the average life expectancy was 63.85 years, and the loss of potential years of life compared to the general population was about 14.66 years. At the same time, the indicators differed significantly between diagnoses. The lowest life expectancy was recorded for substance use disorders at 57.07 years. For neurotic disorders, the figure was 69.51 years.

According to the number of potential years of life lost after substance use disorders, eating disorders, schizophrenic spectrum disorders, and personality disorders followed. At the same time, the authors emphasize the high heterogeneity of the included studies, so the average values cannot be directly applied to each person with a specific diagnosis.

Why it is important to consider physical health

A new study shows that reducing the life expectancy gap requires attention not only to mental symptoms, but also to the physical condition of patients. This is especially true for cardiovascular and other chronic diseases that may remain undetected or be diagnosed later.

At the same time, the results of the Australian work do not allow us to name one cause of premature death or one way to close the gap. Researchers consider physical health as one of the key areas that must be considered simultaneously with the treatment of mental disorders.