A new research conducted at the University of Bristol in the United Kingdom has claimed that even mild stress can cause long-term disability. Researchers claim that even mild psychological distress can lead to long-term physical disability. Most of the people underestimate the importance of mental health, which causes such problems.

The study involved more than 17,000 employed adults in Stockholm, Sweden. As part of the study, the participants answered questionnaire developed to evaluate their mental health and stress levels.

The finding of the study claims that the participants who were at higher levels of stress at the beginning of study were at a high risk of developing long-term disability at the end of the study. The study was started in 2001 and during the follow-up period of the study 649 of the participants were suffering from some kind of disability and were receiving the disability benefits.

Dheeraj Rai, of the University of Bristol in the United Kingdom, has advised the working adults to take the problem of stress more seriously and seek professional help in case of any mental health issues.