Wednesday 24/December/2025 – 08:28 AM
A new study published in The Lancet linked six Symptoms of depression In middle age, there was a sharp increase in the risk of developing dementia later in life. The researchers found that people with multiple depressive symptoms had a 27% higher risk of developing dementia, while loss of confidence and poor coping skills were associated with a nearly 50% increased risk, underscoring the importance of early mental health care.
Six symptoms of depression in midlife linked to an increased risk of dementia
According to what was published in Times Now, The results of the study identified specific depressive symptoms that could be among the main factors behind an increased risk of dementia later in life, when they appear in middle age. Dementia is an umbrella term for neurological conditions that affect cognitive abilities and memory, such as Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia. Although scientists have not yet found a specific cause for dementia, a number of risk factors and causes have been identified, including:
- Difficulty concentrating
- Loss of confidence
- I feel nervous all the time
- Unable to face problems
- Lack of feeling of warmth and affection towards others
- Not satisfied with the way tasks are done
In this study, researchers analyzed the medical data of more than 5,800 middle-aged adult participants, with an average age of 55 years. According to the scientists, all participants underwent evaluation for depressive symptoms, and then their health condition was followed for 25 years. The study concluded that participants who experienced five or more depressive symptoms in middle age were 27% more likely to develop dementia.
