Does Depression Make Asthma More Difficult to Control?

Suffering with depression can lead to a huge list of health concerns. It’s also known to work in reverse too. For example, people who have asthma are more likely to develop symptoms of depression. A new study even suggests that these symptoms are linked to a number of other negative health risks. They can lead to your asthma becoming worse and a general decline in wellbeing and quality of life.

When people are depressed, it makes it naturally more difficult for them to do some of the everyday tasks that constitute a healthy lifestyle. This leads to a downward spiral for someone who suffers with depression and asthma – as every time the asthma symptoms get worse, so does the depression, and vice versa.

The study, published in General Hospital Psychiatry, surveyed over 9,500 adults and suggests that even mild depressive symptoms, with no additional diagnosis of clinical depression, may be associated with health risk factors such as smoking, lack of physical activity and insufficient sleep. These findings are consistent with similar studies looking into the link between asthma and depression.

Getting enough sleep is absolutely essential to your health, but the study suggests that 56 percent of asthmatic people with depressive symptoms sleep for 6 hours or less. Only 38 percent of people with asthma but without depressive symptoms get as little sleep. Also, depressive symptoms made asthmatics 70 percent more likely to smoke. Smoke is a major risk factor for asthma and can lead to stronger symptoms and even an attack.

The researchers recommended that asthma sufferers should also be assessed for depression, as having both conditions at the same time only serves to mutually exacerbate the other. They also recommended further studies into the area to better ascertain to underlying reasons between the link.