Schizophrenia and Life Expectancy
Schizophrenia is a mental disorder that affects how a person thinks, feels, and behaves. It is a serious, long-term condition that affects approximately 1 percent of the world’s population. People with schizophrenia may experience delusions, hallucinations, and disorganized thinking and behavior. While there is no cure for schizophrenia, it can be managed through a combination of medications and psychosocial therapies.
The life expectancy of people with schizophrenia is lower than the general population due to a variety of factors, including increased risk of suicide, physical health problems, and poor access to health care. Studies have shown that people with schizophrenia have an average life expectancy of 10 to 25 years lower than the general population.
Risk Factors for Reduced Life Expectancy
There are several risk factors that can contribute to reduced life expectancy in people with schizophrenia. These include:
• Poor access to health care: People with schizophrenia may not have access to adequate health care and treatment, which can lead to physical health problems and an increased risk of death.
• Substance abuse: People with schizophrenia are more likely to engage in substance abuse, which can further increase the risk of physical health problems and death.
• Suicide: People with schizophrenia are more likely to attempt or complete suicide than the general population.
• Poor nutrition: People with schizophrenia may not have access to healthy food, which can lead to poor nutrition and physical health problems.
• Social isolation: People with schizophrenia may experience social isolation, which can lead to loneliness, depression, and reduced quality of life.
Factors That Can Increase Life Expectancy
There are several factors that can increase life expectancy in people with schizophrenia. These include:
• Adequate treatment: People with schizophrenia should receive adequate treatment, including medications and psychosocial therapies, to manage their symptoms and reduce the risk of physical health problems.
• Improved access to health care: People with schizophrenia should have access to quality health care and treatment to reduce their risk of physical health problems.
• Healthy lifestyle: People with schizophrenia should adopt a healthy lifestyle, including regular exercise, a balanced diet, and avoiding substance abuse.
• Social support: People with schizophrenia should have access to social support, such as family, friends, and mental health professionals, to reduce the risk of loneliness and depression.
• Treatment adherence: People with schizophrenia should adhere to their treatment plan to reduce the risk of physical health problems and death.