Depression and Anxiety Emerging From Heavy Metals

Abstract

Depression and anxiety are among the most serious disorders spread-out all over the world. In most cases, patients with depression present features of anxiety. Interestingly and inversely, patients with anxiety also present depression. Thus, both disorders may occur together, with one meeting criteria of the other. The extent of the two disorders has been shown through the high rates of their prevalence. They are, furthermore, associated with significant morbidity which shows how important is to identify and treat both illnesses. However, several epidemiological studies have reported such illnesses to be intensified with the influence of environmental factors such as the toxic effect of heavy metals. Furthermore, the influence of climate change exacerbates the negative effect of these elements. Biological and preclinical investigations have reconciled the mechanism of action by which heavy metals set off emotional disorders. Though its potential harms are important, more studies are needed to understand heavy metals' influence on the evoked pathways.