Some new research was published on lung disease and mental health. Specifically, that people with chronic lung conditions have poorer mental health and overall well-being compared to those without lung problems.

The reason for the association between lung function and mental health problems is unclear, Goodwin’s team notes. They suggest that impaired lung function may lead to a decreased sense of well-being as a result of physical limitations associated with physical disease.

Research showing people having physical and mental health problems at the same time is not new, and there are a handful of explanations. One view is that people who develop lung problems, often from smoking, have more mental health issues even before they develop the lung condition. The illness would probably make it worse, but in my view, for most people it is is unlikely to be the initial cause of the problems.

Comments

This post currently has no comments. You can read the comments or leave your own thoughts on our new comments page.

Trackbacks

    Last reviewed: By John M. Grohol, Psy.D. on 22 Feb 2007
    Published on PsychCentral.com. All rights reserved.