Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsDepression and OsteoporosisDiagnosisTreatmentCoping
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Depression and Osteoporosis
Diagnosis
Treatment
Coping
People with osteoporosis (a condition that causes bones to become weak and brittle) are more likely to have depression (a serious mood disorder causing persistent sadness and loss of interest in activities) than people who do not have osteoporosis. One study found that nearly 87% of people with osteoporosis have mild to moderate depression.However, the reason behind the relationship is unclear.
In this article, learn more about the connection between depression and osteoporosis and why they are so closely related.
fizkes / Getty Images
The Connection Between Depression and Osteoporosis
Researchers believe there is a connection between depression and osteoporosis. Many studies have shown that people with osteoporosis are more likely to have depression than those who do not have osteoporosis.
Based on these results, some scientists argue that depression should be considered a shared risk factor for osteoporosis, much likesmokingand lowcalciumintake are.
Ways depression may increase the risk of osteoporosis include:
Other studies argue that depression cannot cause osteoporosis.Instead, they suggest that depression results from osteoporosis and the disease’s physical limitations and symptoms.
Research Findings
A study from July 2022 found that 86.9% of people with osteoporosis had mild to moderate depression, compared to the group without osteoporosis, in which 15.4% had depression.
Importantly, this study had a case-control design, which means conclusions can only be made regarding the association between depression and osteoporosis, not whether one causes the other.
Another study, published in July 2021, investigated whether the genes predisposing someone to depression may also predispose them to osteoporosis.
Diagnosis of Depression and Osteoporosis
To be diagnosed withmajor depressive disorder,you must experience at least five of the following symptoms, including a depressed mood and loss of interest or pleasure, over the past two weeks:
If you or someone you know has suicidal thoughts, contact the988 Suicide & Crisis Lifelineat988for support and assistance from a trained counselor. If you or a loved one is in immediate danger, call 911.
Treatment of Depression and Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis is treated with lifestyle modifications, hormone therapy, and medications that can reduce or slow bone loss.
Depression istreatedwith medications, psychotherapy, and lifestyle changes.
Medications
Medication is one possible connection between depression and osteoporosis. Some scientists suggest that certain medications that treat depression may increase a person’s risk of osteoporosis, including:
Your healthcare provider should also consider the risks of other medications you may be taking when prescribing medication for depression and osteoporosis. Drugs like opioids, antipsychotics, anticonvulsants, and benzodiazepines all increase risk of falls.
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy is an evidence-based depression treatment involving talking to a therapist and sometimes engaging in prescribed activities.
Types of psychotherapy used to treat depression include:
Related: How to Treat Osteoporosis
Coping with Depression and Osteoporosis
Lifestyle Changes
Lifestyle changes are commonly recommended for people with depression and osteoporosis. Although these modifications won’t cure either condition, they help manage each condition and give you a sense of control.
Some lifestyle change recommendations overlap with those recommended for managing osteoporosis. Some of these shared lifestyle changes include:
Support Groups
Joining a support group could help you cope with depression and osteoporosis. Connecting with people living with the same conditions may instill a sense of solidarity.
Support groups for osteoporosis include:
Support groups for depression include:
Summary
There is a strong association between depression and osteoporosis; most people with osteoporosis also have mild to moderate depression. However, the cause of this relationship is unclear. It is important to talk to your healthcare provider if you are experiencing symptoms of either.
A Word From Verywell
If you have osteoporosis, keeping an open conversation with your loved ones and healthcare providers about your mental health is essential. You are more likely to experience depression than a person without osteoporosis, so be aware of the symptoms of depression and consider screening for depression if you are experiencing symptoms.
9 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Kashfi SS, Abdollahi G, Hassanzadeh J, Mokarami H, Khani Jeihooni A.The relationship between osteoporosis and depression.Sci Rep. 2022;12(1):11177. doi: 10.1038/s41598-022-15248-wGiovanni FD, Medeiros JS de, Neto PHS, Scuzziatto VA, Skare TL.Depression and osteoporosis: a study of 100 patients.Prim Care Companion CNS Disord. 2017;19(3):26223. doi: 10.4088/PCC.16l02062He B, Lyu Q, Yin L, Zhang M, Quan Z, Ou Y.Depression and osteoporosis: a mendelian randomization study.Calcif Tissue Int. 2021;109(6):675-684. doi:10.1007/s00223-021-00886-5NIH National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.Osteoporosis: diagnosis, treatment, and steps to take.O’Connor EA, Whitlock EP, Gaynes B, et al.Screening for Depression in Adults and Older Adults in Primary Care: An Updated Systematic Review[Internet]. Rockville (MD): Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (US); 2009 Dec. (Evidence Syntheses, No. 75.) Table 1, Primary DSM-IV depression disorders, criteria for adults.Kelly RR, McDonald LT, Jensen NR, Sidles SJ, LaRue AC.Impacts of psychological stress on osteoporosis: clinical implications and treatment interactions.Front Psychiatry. 2019;0. doi: 10.3389/fpsyt.2019.00200NIH National Institute of Mental Health.Depression.Gautam M, Tripathi A, Deshmukh D, et al.Cognitive behavioral therapy for depression.Indian J Psychiatry.2020;62(Suppl 2):S223-S229. doi:10.4103/psychiatry.IndianJPsychiatry_772_19Ribeiro Â, Ribeiro JP, von Doellinger O.Depression and psychodynamic psychotherapy. Braz J Psychiatry. 2018 Jan-Mar;40(1):105-109. doi: 10.1590/1516-4446-2016-2107. Epub 2017 Jun 12. PMID: 28614491; PMCID: PMC6899418.
9 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Kashfi SS, Abdollahi G, Hassanzadeh J, Mokarami H, Khani Jeihooni A.The relationship between osteoporosis and depression.Sci Rep. 2022;12(1):11177. doi: 10.1038/s41598-022-15248-wGiovanni FD, Medeiros JS de, Neto PHS, Scuzziatto VA, Skare TL.Depression and osteoporosis: a study of 100 patients.Prim Care Companion CNS Disord. 2017;19(3):26223. doi: 10.4088/PCC.16l02062He B, Lyu Q, Yin L, Zhang M, Quan Z, Ou Y.Depression and osteoporosis: a mendelian randomization study.Calcif Tissue Int. 2021;109(6):675-684. doi:10.1007/s00223-021-00886-5NIH National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.Osteoporosis: diagnosis, treatment, and steps to take.O’Connor EA, Whitlock EP, Gaynes B, et al.Screening for Depression in Adults and Older Adults in Primary Care: An Updated Systematic Review[Internet]. Rockville (MD): Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (US); 2009 Dec. (Evidence Syntheses, No. 75.) Table 1, Primary DSM-IV depression disorders, criteria for adults.Kelly RR, McDonald LT, Jensen NR, Sidles SJ, LaRue AC.Impacts of psychological stress on osteoporosis: clinical implications and treatment interactions.Front Psychiatry. 2019;0. doi: 10.3389/fpsyt.2019.00200NIH National Institute of Mental Health.Depression.Gautam M, Tripathi A, Deshmukh D, et al.Cognitive behavioral therapy for depression.Indian J Psychiatry.2020;62(Suppl 2):S223-S229. doi:10.4103/psychiatry.IndianJPsychiatry_772_19Ribeiro Â, Ribeiro JP, von Doellinger O.Depression and psychodynamic psychotherapy. Braz J Psychiatry. 2018 Jan-Mar;40(1):105-109. doi: 10.1590/1516-4446-2016-2107. Epub 2017 Jun 12. PMID: 28614491; PMCID: PMC6899418.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Kashfi SS, Abdollahi G, Hassanzadeh J, Mokarami H, Khani Jeihooni A.The relationship between osteoporosis and depression.Sci Rep. 2022;12(1):11177. doi: 10.1038/s41598-022-15248-wGiovanni FD, Medeiros JS de, Neto PHS, Scuzziatto VA, Skare TL.Depression and osteoporosis: a study of 100 patients.Prim Care Companion CNS Disord. 2017;19(3):26223. doi: 10.4088/PCC.16l02062He B, Lyu Q, Yin L, Zhang M, Quan Z, Ou Y.Depression and osteoporosis: a mendelian randomization study.Calcif Tissue Int. 2021;109(6):675-684. doi:10.1007/s00223-021-00886-5NIH National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.Osteoporosis: diagnosis, treatment, and steps to take.O’Connor EA, Whitlock EP, Gaynes B, et al.Screening for Depression in Adults and Older Adults in Primary Care: An Updated Systematic Review[Internet]. Rockville (MD): Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (US); 2009 Dec. (Evidence Syntheses, No. 75.) Table 1, Primary DSM-IV depression disorders, criteria for adults.Kelly RR, McDonald LT, Jensen NR, Sidles SJ, LaRue AC.Impacts of psychological stress on osteoporosis: clinical implications and treatment interactions.Front Psychiatry. 2019;0. doi: 10.3389/fpsyt.2019.00200NIH National Institute of Mental Health.Depression.Gautam M, Tripathi A, Deshmukh D, et al.Cognitive behavioral therapy for depression.Indian J Psychiatry.2020;62(Suppl 2):S223-S229. doi:10.4103/psychiatry.IndianJPsychiatry_772_19Ribeiro Â, Ribeiro JP, von Doellinger O.Depression and psychodynamic psychotherapy. Braz J Psychiatry. 2018 Jan-Mar;40(1):105-109. doi: 10.1590/1516-4446-2016-2107. Epub 2017 Jun 12. PMID: 28614491; PMCID: PMC6899418.
Kashfi SS, Abdollahi G, Hassanzadeh J, Mokarami H, Khani Jeihooni A.The relationship between osteoporosis and depression.Sci Rep. 2022;12(1):11177. doi: 10.1038/s41598-022-15248-w
Giovanni FD, Medeiros JS de, Neto PHS, Scuzziatto VA, Skare TL.Depression and osteoporosis: a study of 100 patients.Prim Care Companion CNS Disord. 2017;19(3):26223. doi: 10.4088/PCC.16l02062
He B, Lyu Q, Yin L, Zhang M, Quan Z, Ou Y.Depression and osteoporosis: a mendelian randomization study.Calcif Tissue Int. 2021;109(6):675-684. doi:10.1007/s00223-021-00886-5
NIH National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.Osteoporosis: diagnosis, treatment, and steps to take.
O’Connor EA, Whitlock EP, Gaynes B, et al.Screening for Depression in Adults and Older Adults in Primary Care: An Updated Systematic Review[Internet]. Rockville (MD): Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (US); 2009 Dec. (Evidence Syntheses, No. 75.) Table 1, Primary DSM-IV depression disorders, criteria for adults.
Kelly RR, McDonald LT, Jensen NR, Sidles SJ, LaRue AC.Impacts of psychological stress on osteoporosis: clinical implications and treatment interactions.Front Psychiatry. 2019;0. doi: 10.3389/fpsyt.2019.00200
NIH National Institute of Mental Health.Depression.
Gautam M, Tripathi A, Deshmukh D, et al.Cognitive behavioral therapy for depression.Indian J Psychiatry.2020;62(Suppl 2):S223-S229. doi:10.4103/psychiatry.IndianJPsychiatry_772_19
Ribeiro Â, Ribeiro JP, von Doellinger O.Depression and psychodynamic psychotherapy. Braz J Psychiatry. 2018 Jan-Mar;40(1):105-109. doi: 10.1590/1516-4446-2016-2107. Epub 2017 Jun 12. PMID: 28614491; PMCID: PMC6899418.
Meet Our Medical Expert Board
Share Feedback
Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
What is your feedback?
