Mental health condition
Life expectancy with long-term depression
Severe or long-term depression is associated with elevated mortality risk, through both physical health pathways and other causes.
What the research suggests
Persistent severe depression has been associated with a reduction in average life expectancy in population research, driven partly by links to cardiovascular disease, health behaviours, and other risks. Effective treatment and support can address many of these contributing factors.
What changes the outlook
Effective treatment, social support, physical activity, and attention to physical health all help reduce the associated risk.
What helps
- Effective treatment and support
- Physical activity
- Social connection
- Attention to physical health
- Reducing smoking and heavy drinking
Estimate your own range
Answer around a dozen short questions and get a five-year age range based on your profile. It takes about two minutes.
Start the estimatorCommon questions
Does long-term depression reduce life expectancy?
Persistent severe depression has been associated with a reduction in average life expectancy in population research, driven partly by links to cardiovascular disease, health behaviours, and other risks. Effective treatment and support can address many of these contributing factors.
What improves the outlook with long-term depression?
Effective treatment, social support, physical activity, and attention to physical health all help reduce the associated risk.
Can I get a personal estimate?
This tool gives a statistical estimate as a five-year range based on your overall profile, including long-term depression alongside your other answers. It is not a prediction. For personal medical guidance, speak to a GP or specialist.