Chronic Inflammation Doubles Your Risk of Depression & Anxiety.

A 2025 pooled cohort study of 1.56 million UK adults found that those diagnosed with autoimmune or chronic inflammatory conditions—like rheumatoid arthritis, IBD, psoriasis, lupus, MS, or Graves’ disease—had a 86% higher likelihood of experiencing affective disorders (depression, anxiety, bipolar) compared to people without these conditions. Women were especially affected, with 32% of women versus 21% of men with inflammatory illness reporting mental health diagnoses.

Chronic inflammation floods your body with pro-inflammatory cytokines, which can travel to the brain, disrupt neurotransmitters, and even trigger symptoms similar to depression (“sickness behavior”). These biological signals don’t just affect your joints or gut—they profoundly impact your mood and cognitive function.

If you live with an inflammatory condition, mental health screening should be part of your routine care—especially for women. Integrating mood support, antioxidant-rich foods, stress reduction, and anti-inflammatory treatments could protect both your body and your mind.