Medical Illness and Schizophrenia

Lifestyle choices, effects of medications, poor self-care, and barriers to treatment of physical illness often compromise the health of schizophrenic patients. This work brings together research and practical recommendations on medical issues related to schizophrenia and antipsychotic medications.

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The life expectancy of patients with schizophrenia is approximately 20% shorter than that of the general population. Lifestyle choices, effects of medications, poor self-care, barriers to treatmentAall contribute to medical problems that increase the severity of psychopathology, reduce quality of life, and lead to premature death in patients with schizophrenia.
Medical Illness and Schizophrenia examines the links between medical conditions and severe chronic mental illness, with a focus on -The need for better medical assessment and treatment to improve outcomes in patients with schizophrenia -Links between schizophrenia and conditions such as obesity, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, HIV and hepatitis C, endocrine-related disorders, and others -The association between therapy with certain antipsychotics and adverse health outcomes including hyperlipidemia, obesity, and diabetes mellitus -The importance of improving community health services to treat the dual problems of medical and mental illnesses in the schizophrenic population Developed to fill a critical gap in the literature, Medical Illness and Schizophrenia is an important volume for any clinician who encounters patients with chronic severe mental illness. In addition, it serves to underscore the need to provide integrated medical and psychiatric care to this vulnerable population.