New Study: Depression Hurts Your Bones

Posted November 29, 2007 at 04:00 PM by Katie Drummond

Section: Her Health, Injury & Rehab, Her News

If you’ve struggled with clinical depression, you may be at a greater risk for developing osteoporosis, according to a new study by the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) released on Monday.

The study found that women with depression - even mild cases - had less bone mass than those whose mental health wasn’t a problem. And researchers say that the difference isn’t minor, but is actually on par with other risk factors for osteoporosis, like smoking, low calcium intake, and a sedentary lifestyle.

“Osteoporosis is a silent disease. Too often, the first symptom a clinician sees is when a patient shows up with a broken bone. Now we know that depression can serve as a red flag – that depressed women are more likely than other women to approach menopause already at higher risk of fractures,” said NIMH Deputy Director Richard Nakamura, PhD.

The loss of bone mass wasn’t limited to older women, but actually seemed to strike young women who should still be building bone bass, not losing it. Once bone mass loss accelerates (after menopause), women who dealt with depression in their youth will be at a serious health disadvantage when compared to their peers, and face a risk of stress fractures and brittle bones by the time they hit their early 50’s.

The study was designed to cut out variables that might interfere with results. Participants included around 130 women, between 21 and 45 years old. Their other risk factors for bone loss were similar (including calcium and caffeine intake, smoking, physical fitness, use of oral contraceptives, and age of first menstrual period). Of the group studied, 89 participants were diagnosed with depression and 44 were not.

Unfortunately, medical experts still don’t have a solution for women with depression when it comes to protecting their bones. Right now, the best advice is to prevent other risk factors - ensure an adequate calcium intake, aim for 30 minutes of activity a day, don’t smoke, and limit your intake of caffeine and alcohol. If you are depressed, working with a counselor and considering your medical options is the best way to work towards improving your mental health - and protecting your bones.