Title: Mental Health’s Impact on Life Expectancy | The Recovery Village
Headings: Poor Mental Health's Devastating Impacts on Life Expectancy — And How Treatment Can Help
Poor Mental Health's Devastating Impacts on Life Expectancy — And How Treatment Can Help
How Mental Illness Impacts Life Expectancy
Physical Health
Poverty
Suicide
How Treatment Can Help
Why More People Don’t Seek Professional Care

Content: Experiencing severe symptoms can make it challenging to imagine the possibility of relief. Fortunately, treatment methods have improved dramatically in recent years as the medical community gains more information about treatments with high rates of success for a wide range of mental health conditions. In one study, approximately 85% of severely depressed patients respond to electroconvulsive therapy. Studies show that among people who receive treatment for schizophrenia, about 25% experience positive recovery and 50% show improvements in symptoms over a 10-year period. Nearly one-third of people who undergo bipolar disorder treatment with lithium experience total prevention of further episodes for ten years or more. Methods like cognitive behavioral therapy have been shown to be highly effective for treating anxiety, depression, eating disorders, insomnia and personality disorders. With professional interventions, most who have moderate or severe mental health conditions find at least some degree of relief from their symptoms, and many experience dramatic improvements. As symptoms subside and new coping skills are learned, people tend to gravitate toward healthier lifestyle choices and ways of thinking. These changes can dramatically improve physical health and decrease suicide risk. Mental health care may also provide an opportunity for people to seek support that can increase economic security.