Allostatic load and systemic comorbidities in psychiatric disorders.
Sabine Finlay1, Donna Rudd1, Brett McDermott2
1Laboratory of Psychiatric Neuroscience, Centre for Molecular Therapeutics, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland, Australia; Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland, Australia; College of Public Health, Medical & Veterinary Sciences, James Cook University, Queensland, Australia.
Psychoneuroendocrinology
|March 27, 2022
Summary
Psychiatric disorders are linked to systemic medical issues due to allostatic load, a stress-induced multi-system imbalance. Viewing these conditions as systemic can improve understanding and treatment of comorbidities.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychiatry
- Internal Medicine
Background:
- Psychiatric disorders are complex, chronic conditions frequently co-occurring with systemic medical comorbidities.
- The allostatic load concept describes multi-system dysregulation from chronic stress.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the allostatic load concept and its connection to systemic comorbidities in psychiatric disorders.
- To synthesize literature on the frequency and nature of systemic comorbidities in mood and psychotic disorders.
Main Methods:
- Narrative review of published literature.
- Searches conducted in Medline (Ovid), Scopus, and PsychInfo databases.
Main Results:
- A high frequency of systemic comorbidities, including cardiovascular, metabolic, and immune issues, was identified in mood and psychotic disorders.
- These comorbidities may result from chronic stress, health behaviors, and pharmacological factors interacting with biological systems.
Conclusions:
- Psychiatric disorders should be viewed as systemic disorders affecting both brain and body.
- The allostatic load framework offers a valuable multi-systemic approach for understanding comorbidities in psychiatric patients.
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