They don't call it the green eyed monster for nothing. Women who exhibit signs of jealousy, moodiness, anxiety or worrying may be at a higher risk for developing Alzheimer's disease, a new study shows.
The study was published yesterday, October 1, in the journal Neurology.
A Swedish study that followed 800 women over 40 years found that women who were neurotic (jealous, moody or anxious) and stressed out over the long term were at a much higher risk of developing Alzheimer's than women in the group who were less neurotic. In the total group, about 19 percent of the women developed dementia. However, neurotic women who experienced long-term periods of stress had twice the risk of having Alzheimer's.
"No other study has shown that [one style of] midlife personality increased the risk of Alzheimer's disease over a period of nearly 40 years," said Lena Johansson, one of the authors of the study.
The study also tested the women for signs of introversion. Being introverted alone did not affect Alzheimer's risk, but being introverted in conjunction with neuroticism and long-term stress put women at the highest risk for developing dementia. Of these women, 25 percent developed Alzheimer's, compared to 13 percent of the least neurotic, least introverted women.
Scientists say that there is not necessarily a causal relationship between being anxious and having Alzheimer's disease, but that this study suggests the two might be related.
These findings are likely also true for men, Johansson said, but the study happened to focus on only women.
This study shows that personality may have more to do with Alzheimer's disease than we think.
"Most Alzheimer's research has been devoted to factors such as education, heart and blood risk factors, head trauma, family history and genetics. Personality may influence the individual's risk for dementia through its effect on behavior, lifestyle or reactions to stress," said Johannsson.
Another study, published last month in September, showed very strong evidence of a correlated relationship between taking benzodiazepines, an anti-anxiety or anti-insomnia drug, and a higher risk of developing Alzheimer's. Studies like these, it seems, gives worried people even more to worry about.
There is still more research to be done on the relation between dementia and anxiety. However, people who suffer from stress and anxiety might want to try natural stress relievers, like meditation, to curb anxiety. Studies show that meditation can be as effective as pills at reducing depression and anxiety.
