A double-edged sword: review of the interplay between physical health and mental health

C. Behan, R. Doyle, S. Masterson, D. Shiers, M. Clarke

It is widely acknowledged that there is interplay between physical and mental health, with causality in both directions. A common theme across countries is the uncertainty surrounding who should act as gatekeeper for physical health matters in psychiatry. Much of the metabolic monitoring is carried out by psychiatrists who often feel ill equipped to treat medical problems such as abnormal cholesterol or disturbances of glucose metabolism. However many patients do not attend primary care on a regular basis and may not be likely to follow through on referral to primary care. This review aims to examine the interplay between co-morbid physical and mental health conditions, identify the physical health conditions particularly associated with severe affective and psychotic illness and briefly discuss interventions and recommendations in this area. As people with severe mental illness die 10-20 years younger than their peers, with much of this premature mortality due to cardiovascular disease, this topic is emerging as one of great importance amongst clinicians and policymakers internationally.