6 Devastating Connections Between Mental Health and Environment

The effect of environmental factors on health especially on mental health is one of the active research areas and researchers have established the link between various health concerns and the environment. It has been observed that if your surrounding is green, you are positively influenced by the environment and are less likely to suffer from depression or other psychological disorders. You at your personal level can also personally observe changes in mood in different environmental conditions.

For example, in the winter season, note down how you feel on a foggy day and a sunny day. Similarly, compare your thoughts and behavior in a polluted city and then in a green and clean place. This is the simplest method to know how mental health can be affected by your surroundings.

A lot of attention is being given to mental health around the world. And many studies have been done to support this link between environment and mental health.

Here in this article, you can find out about some prominent metal conditions and the environmental factors linked to such conditions.

1. Depression

A study in Barcelona suggested that Bad air quality was the reason for depression in some cases. People who were exposed to polluted air were at higher risk of suffering from depression. For every 10 μg/m3 rise in NO2 in the air, the chances of depression doubled in the person exposed to it. Similar trends have also been observed for the increase in the amount of PM_2.5 and O₃ in the air. The rise in air pollutants also worsened the symptoms in people already suffering from depressive disorders and the attendance in the emergency room increased for them.

2. Anxiety Disorders

Researchers have also established a connection between poorer environments and anxiety disorders. A study found that high symptoms of anxiety were observed in people who were exposed to high amounts of PM₁₀ and PM_2.5 in the air. The Anxiety-related symptoms were even worst in those with pre-existing health issues.

3. Psychosis

A link has been observed between poor air quality and the incidence of schizophrenia. Earlier, people from urban areas were found to be more prone to the disease than those from rural areas. However, a recent study has observed that there are good chances that environmental heavy metal exposures can interfere with neurological pathways. It was asserted that mainly calcium and lead in the air were potential causes and might lead to schizophrenia in people exposed to them.

4. Child Mental Health

Poor environmental conditions adversely affect child mental health too. A study of four Swedish countries suggested that a higher concentration of PM₁₀, PM_2.5, and NO₂ in the air was linked to more chances of children being dispensed psychiatric medication. Other studies have found that children who are exposed to a poor environment at an early age are more likely to develop autism spectrum disorders and psychotic disorders later in life. Prenatal exposure to air pollutants can also lead to poor mental development in children.

5. Suicide

A significant correlation was established between solid air-suspended particles and suicide attempts. It was suggested that people exposed to polluted air with suspended particles showed worsening of schizophrenia and suicide attempts in these people were higher. Similar trends were observed in people exposed to gaseous pollutants and particulate matter.

6. Mental Health In Aged People

In older people, air pollution could worsen dementia and cognitive decline. It has been observed the aged people exposed to CO, O₃, NO_x, and particulate matter were more likely to develop mental health conditions.

Conclusion

Scientists are still exploring more into the link between health and the environment but the existing pieces of evidence are enough to warn us about the potential damage. Not only do we need to make sure that we are less exposed to the polluted environment but we must also take steps towards improving the quality of air around us.

One thing is clear from this assessment that environmental conditions do have an impact on your mental health. You need to act and make sure that your surrounding environment is clean. And take steps to reduce your carbon footprint by living an eco-friendly lifestyle.

If you want to know more effect of the environment on health visit here to read more about the effect of the environment on your health here.