Understanding the link between mental health and physical illness recovery
New healthcare data has highlighted gaps in follow-up care for patients with depression, while a psychologist says mental and physical health cannot be treated separately.
New South African research suggests mental health may play a more significant role in physical illness recovery than previously recognized. The Health Quality Assessment (HQA) identified a high prevalence of anxiety among patients and noted higher hospital readmission rates among those with depression. Additionally, there are gaps in follow-up care after mental health treatment, which the research calls for further investigation.
According to psychologist Christine Kritzas of The Lighthouse, mental health and physical health influence each other in various ways. Our mental state can impact our physiology through stress, cortisol levels, inflammation, and sleep. Conversely, physical health problems can affect a person's mental state. The World Health Organization states that one in four people suffer from a mental health condition, and anxiety and depression have risen sharply since the pandemic, affecting over 970 million individuals globally.
Kritzas emphasizes the importance of continuity of care after hospitalization for patients with mental health conditions. She highlights how depression may increase the risk of cardiovascular disease by 40% to 60%. Moreover, mental health issues can hinder adherence to treatment, proper nutrition, exercise, and rehabilitation for individuals with chronic physical illnesses. Social withdrawal and isolation can also reduce support and contribute to stress during recovery.
Healthcare providers should consider a broader range of factors beyond a single physical diagnosis when treating patients. For instance, an endocrinologist might only focus on hormone treatment and replacement therapy, but anxiety, poor sleep, or depression could also need addressing. Kritzas advocates for a multidisciplinary approach involving medical and mental-health professionals to gain a more comprehensive understanding of a patient's situation.
The HQA report covers over 200 healthcare quality indicators and data from 7.38 million medical scheme beneficiaries, representing more than 84% of South Africa's insured population. Louis Botha, CEO of HQA, stresses the importance of tracking health outcomes over time to identify the healthcare system's successes and areas for improvement, as access to healthcare alone does not guarantee appropriate care or better outcomes.
Written by urgent.news from IOL's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
