Mental health in adult congenital heart disease

Mental health issues are common in individuals with congenital heart disease (CHD), stemming from various factors such as traumatic experiences, existential questions, and genetic predisposition. This article provides an overview of the literature on mental disorders and mental health in adults with CHD (ACHD) and presents new data on mental health as a predictor of quality of life (QoL). Empirical data show that disorders such as depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, psychosis, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), and autism spectrum disorders occur more often in people with CHD than in healthy counterparts (Graphical abstract). Further, mental health is a strong predictor of QoL. Therefore, psychological interventions should be integrated into CHD care to enhance mental health and QoL of afflicted patients.