Even minor symptoms of anxiety and depression appear to raise the risk of death, researchers report today.
The findings emerged as British doctors launched a new initiative to help people who feel "overwhelmed" by life.
For the research Dr Tom Russ of Edinburgh University, UK, and his team studied some 68,222 men and women, healthy at the start of the study. Over the next eight years there were 8,365 deaths from all causes.
Analysis showed a clear "dose-response" link between psychological distress, across the full range of severity, and an increased risk of death. The link was still seen after several lifestyle and social and economic factors were taken into account.
Dr Russ said today: "The fact that an increased risk of mortality was evident, even at low levels of psychological distress, should prompt research into whether treatment of these very common, minor symptoms can reduce this increased risk of death."
Full details are published by the British Medical Journal. The authors report: "A similar association was found for cardiovascular disease deaths and deaths from external causes. Cancer death was only associated with psychological distress at higher levels."
They say that the reason for this link could be a direct effect of psychological stress on the physiology of the heart, but they add that "little evidence indicates favourable effects, in terms of mortality, with treatment [for depression]".
They believe "the overall picture may be more complex", and call for further research to investigate whether treating psychological distress could reduce the increased death risk.
John Williams, of the Wellcome Trust, which backed the research, said: "People with mental health problems are among the most vulnerable in society. This study highlights the need to ensure they have access to appropriate health care and advice so that they can take steps to improve the outcome of their illness."
* A booklet published today seeks to help people who "feel overwhelmed" by life to stay safe.
Produced by the UK Royal College of Psychiatrists, the leaflet sets out how people who feel they have lost control over their lives can make a "safety plan", organise their thoughts and get support.
Dr Alys Cole-King, a psychiatrist from North Wales, said: "Thousands of people are overwhelmed every day, but is possible to find ways to get through these intense feelings.
"Distress can be a sign that you need to change something in your life, and this leaflet has been written to show people that there is always hope and there is always help."
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