Schizophrenia Life Expectancy: Does Schizophrenia Shorten Lifespan?
Schizophrenia is a complex mental health disorder typically characterized by symptoms like hallucinations, delusions, and disorganized thoughts. While these symptoms can be challenging, and schizophrenia may have an impact on life expectancy, it does not necessarily affect maximum lifespan. Understanding the difference between schizophrenia life expectancy and lifespan, as well as the ways in which an individual with schizophrenia may improve their life expectancy, could be beneficial for those living with this disorder. If you’re living with schizophrenia, consider working with a therapist to address any concerns or challenges you may be experiencing.
What is the difference between lifespan and life expectancy?
While the terms “lifespan” and “life expectancy” are often used interchangeably, each has its own distinct meaning.
Meaning of lifespan
Lifespan can refer to the maximum number of years a specific species may live. According to the Guinness World Book of Records, the longest confirmed lifespan for a human was 122 years and 164 days, a record awarded to Jeanne Calment. While other lifespan claims have been made that exceed Calment’s, they typically lack evidence. Until an individual can provide significant proof that they have lived longer, it may be reasonable to set the current maximum lifespan for all humans as 122 years and 164 days.
Meaning of life expectancy
On the other hand, human life expectancy usually refers to the average amount of time a person lives. This average is often calculated based on the specific demographics of that person, including the population group to which they belong. For example, in 2021, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimated that the life expectancy for individuals in the U.S. was 76.4 years. Life expectancy can also vary based on several other factors, such as the following:
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Mental health conditions like schizophrenia may impact life expectancy
The presence of specific diseases, including those that may be classified as infectious or related to the immune system, may also impact how long a person lives. In addition, mental health conditions like schizophrenia could affect life expectancy.
Does the mental illness schizophrenia pose a risk for life expectancy?
Causes of premature mortality and schizophrenia life expectancy
One scientific article published in 2022 stated that premature mortality in those with schizophrenia may be due to a variety of causes, including the following:
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Other risk factors affecting mortality in people with schizophrenia
In addition to these causes, other factors may contribute to mortality in those living with schizophrenia. These factors may include alcohol and substance misuse, tobacco use (specifically smoking), and a sedentary lifestyle, as well as metabolic abnormalities and accelerated aging due to disease. Individuals with schizophrenia may also struggle to obtain quality medical care due to both the symptoms of psychosis and the stigma associated with the disorder.
*If you are experiencing suicidal thoughts or urges, contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988. Support is available 24/7.
How can people with schizophrenia improve their schizophrenia life expectancy?
While there may not be a cure for schizophrenia or a guaranteed way to extend one’s life, there are several methods that may help an individual with schizophrenia improve their life expectancy.
Avoiding substance misuse
Research suggests that individuals living with schizophrenia may be more likely to use, or misuse, certain substances. These may include the following:
- 47% of people with schizophrenia may experience serious struggles with alcohol or substance use during their lifetime. This can be compared to 16% of the general population that generally experiences these struggles.
- 60% to 90% of those with schizophrenia may smoke cigarettes at some point in their lives.
- The lifetime prevalence rate for cannabis use in people with schizophrenia may be estimated to be between 17% and 83%, with a wide variation between studies.
- 15% to 50% of individuals experiencing schizophrenia may use cocaine.
In some cases, these rates may be three times higher than that of the general population. A substance use disorder can be problematic for individuals with schizophrenia for several potential reasons, including an increase in clinical exacerbations, poor global functioning, and not following treatment.
There are a variety of ways that an individual living with schizophrenia may avoid substance misuse. One potential method could be to utilize resources like the SAMHSA National Helpline, which can be reached by dialing 1-800-662-4257. This helpline is free and available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Callers may be directed toward local support groups, community-based organizations, and treatment facilities that can address substance misuse.
Starting an exercise routine to combat this mental illness
Exercise may increase life expectancy for individuals with schizophrenia. One scientific article explored the use of exercise as a nonpharmacological adjunctive treatment. Researchers found that aerobic exercise may offset the side effects of antipsychotics and reduce the physical health struggles that can be associated with schizophrenia.
These risks may include obesity, metabolic syndrome, and diabetes. Potential reduction in these risks as a result of regular exercise may result in improved mortality rates. Exercise may also lead to increases in hippocampal volume and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels, which may lead to improvements in negative symptoms, functional outcomes, cognition, neurogenesis, and synaptic plasticity.
The type of exercise an individual with schizophrenia chooses may vary, and one should discuss which exercise options are right for them with their doctor. Some individuals may be capable of exercising in public settings, such as a gym or an exercise group. These groups may center around running, swimming, biking, or a variety of other aerobic activities. However, others may not be comfortable exercising outside of their homes. In these cases, it could be beneficial to use exercise equipment like a treadmill, though this may require a significant financial investment.
Seeking treatment from a mental health professional
Although updated research may be needed, one scientific article suggested that psychosocial interventions, such as cognitive therapy, family intervention, assertive community treatment, psychoeducation, and social skills training, could reduce psychotic symptoms and relapse while improving long-term patient outcomes, such as remission, recovery, and illness progression. While the article does not directly state that psychosocial interventions improve life expectancy, it may be reasonable to associate symptom relief and favorable outcomes could contribute to lower rates of mortality. Further research indicates that early-stage schizophrenia patients who receive a combination of psychosocial interventions and medication may have a better quality of life and level of social function, as well as a lower risk of relapse, than those who receive medication alone.
Online therapy
Some individuals may not have connection to in-person psychosocial interventions or therapy, including those who live in rural areas or regions that lack a sufficient number of mental health providers. It may also be difficult to find a schizophrenia specialist in your area, thereby necessitating significant travel or wait times for an appointment. In some cases, individuals may feel more comfortable attending sessions from their homes via phone, video, or online chat. In these situations, it may be beneficial to research potentially viable alternatives, such as online therapy.
According to one systematic review, preliminary evidence suggests that telephone, internet, and video conferencing may be feasible therapeutic modalities for people with schizophrenia. In addition, this evidence suggested that these modalities appeared to result in improved patient outcomes. However, individuals experiencing acute psychosis may need to seek care in person.
Takeaway
Does schizophrenia affect life expectancy?
According to data provided by the World Health Organization, schizophrenia is a significant risk factor for increased mortality and a lower average life expectancy. However, impacts on standardized mortality rates are not due to the disease process, but rather to modifiable risk factors that are a feature of the disorder. Foundations and government agencies are working on disease study in hopes of reducing amenable mortality to relieve global burden of the disorder.
For example, a meta-analysis of data on mortality risk factors on individuals with schizophrenia found that cardiovascular mortality is higher but can be linked to practices like greater rates of cigarette smoking and substance abuse in this population. Disease risk can also be higher due physical inactivity, stress, and poor diet, which increase risk for metabolic disorders like diabetes mellitus. People with schizophrenia may be less likely to manage their symptoms, and medical stigma can get in the way of receiving proper care for chronic illness.
In addition to neglected physical diseases and medical conditions, lower life expectancy is also related to suicide risk in those living with schizophrenia spectrum disorder. Suicide mortality as well as potential life lost from adverse drug effects contribute to increased mortality in this population.
What is the most common cause of death in people with schizophrenia?
The most common cause of death in people with schizophrenia are heart disease and cancer (in particular, lung cancer). A healthcare provider will often encourage patients with a schizophrenia diagnosis to work on smoking cessation, monitor their blood pressure, and work with them on establishing and maintaining healthy lifestyle habits.
Can you live a successful life with schizophrenia?
Schizophrenia is a serious mental illness, but with treatment many people can work and live independently while managing their symptoms. Medical professionals treat schizophrenia with a multifaceted team approach, with antipsychotic treatment including therapy, antipsychotic drugs, and social support.
Can people recover from schizophrenia?
Schizophrenia recovery is possible; however, it is a severe mental illness, and like other severe mental disorders often requires lifelong treatment. Those with schizophrenia tend to need antipsychotic medication, regular therapy, social support (up to and including community support), and potentially other medications to treat any comorbid psychiatric disorders. With regular treatment, around 50% of those living with schizophrenia can work and live independently.
Is it safe to live with a schizophrenic?
Generally, yes. Schizophrenia is typically more dangerous for the individual experiencing it, as their symptoms can lead to a number of complicating factors that impact health and wellness. Potential life lost to drug use and suicide is statistically significant, as well as high all-cause mortality due to poor care. Living with a loved one can increase their chances of health and happiness, and be a protective factor. There is little risk to a healthy person, as those with schizophrenia are rarely physically violent.
Does schizophrenia get worse with age?
Cognitive impairment can become worse as a person with schizophrenia ages, especially if they are living in an assisted living facility where there are few mental demands. Research is not clear on the cause of decline, but has found that severity of symptoms may be related to the age of a person at onset of the disease.
Repeated cross sectional study has found that those with schizophrenia experience excess mortality rates when compared to the general population, however early mortality rates are related to underlying conditions rather than the disease process itself. Often they die of “natural causes” such as chronic disease earlier than others due to a lack of care, including both self-care and institutional care.
Can schizophrenia lead to dementia?
Those with schizophrenia tend to experience worsening cognitive impairment as they age, especially if they are dependent.
Why is schizophrenia hard to live with?
Schizophrenia is a serious mental disorder that causes breaks from reality that are alarming, confusing, and distressing. In addition, societal stigma can lead to social isolation, and even a lack of systemic care.
Does schizophrenia damage the brain?
Brain scans show structural abnormalities in the brains of people with schizophrenia. There are lower volumes of grey matter in both the temporal and frontal lobes of the brain, and atrophy of the hippocampus is significant.
Is schizophrenia hereditary?
There are a number of contributing factors to developing schizophrenia, including genetic predisposition. Outside the genetic perspective, factors include things like low birth weight, childhood trauma, excess dopamine levels, brain development issues in utero, excessive and prolonged stress, autoimmune disease, and recreational drug use.
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