Lack of purpose in life can lead to dementia.

A new study shows that losing meaning in life can lead to dementia. Especially for those who lack a social life.

If you believe your life lacks meaning, you’re at increased risk of developing dementia, a new study has shown. The survey, which has been running since 2008, was conducted by Chinese researchers with support from, among others, the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm. It covered about 900 people in Illinois, USA. About 30 percent of the group had experienced memory disorders during those years, and a third of those diagnosed with dementia were later diagnosed.

Study, as recently It was published. In the journal Neurology, Neurosurgery and Psychiatry, it was shown that people with what’s called mild cognitive impairment (MCI) lacked a sense of purpose in life for about three years before diagnosis. They also had lower levels of personal development for up to six years before diagnosis of mild cognitive impairment. Those affected also lacked a social life, the researchers note.

The study was only observational, so it doesn’t prove that a lack of purpose caused mental decline. The researchers suggest that it’s possible that poor cognitive skills lead to lower psychological well-being rather than lower well-being causing a lack of brain power. But they also stress:

“Psychological health (particularly purpose in life and personal development) was significantly lower before diagnosis of MCI. Low psychological health could be a warning of future cognitive impairment.

They also believe that those diagnosed with conditions such as dementia should receive more psychological support.

comment