Serious mental illness affects life expectancy
A recent article in JAMA Psychiatry contained a study involving 1.1 million people with schizophrenia, which showed they were 3.5 times more likely to die prematurely than the general population.
The lifespan of a chronically mentally ill person has been estimated to be 25 to 28 years shorter than the average life expectancy.
A recent article in JAMA Psychiatry contained a study involving 1.1 million people with schizophrenia, which showed they were 3.5 times more likely to die prematurely than the general population. Eighty-five percent of the premature deaths were due to preventable conditions, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes and heart disease.
One of the reasons for the gap in life expectancy is that few people with serious mental illnesses routinely see or have a primary care physician for annual health screenings.
There maybe several reasons for this. Physical health may seem minor when someone is struggling on a daily basis with hearing voices, having delusions, paranoia about their own bodies. Also, there is the issue of stigma, and though we may have come forward, the medical community has a lot to overcome in having fixed ideas about treating someone with a mental health diagnosis.
A mentally ill person can sense the discomfort projected and this can keep them from wanting to go to a medical clinic. I witness frequently the varying array of attitudes toward the mentally ill within the medical community. This can be countered with more public awareness and even more importantly by the mentally person encouraged to be assertive, ask questions and, if possible, have an advocate with him or her.
Minnesota has started a "10 by 10 Campaign" that aims to improve the life expectancy of people with mental illnesses by 10 years over the next 10 years. The goal is to increase the median age at death from 58 to 68 years.
Screenings for early signs of heart and pulmonary diseases and diabetes are especially important for people with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. The median numbers of years of life lost is 24 years for heart disease, 15 years for lung disease and 15 years for cancer.
With regular screenings, many of these diseases can be potentially prevented by lifestyle changes or detected early enough so that treatment is effective.
Of all the suggestions for lifestyle changes, including eating healthy, exercising, stopping or decreasing smoking, the most important suggestion I have is establish a relationship with a medical provider.
I am saying this as I am experiencing a medical concern with my loved one — it may or may not be serious, but the fact that he has a medical doctor already established has made diagnostic testing and timely appointments more accessible.
While researching this subject I came across this, written anonymously:
"It is so sad that so many people with such promise are expected to live lives with little care and then have to end up forfeiting all that is good about life without that same care. We have all got to get on the bandwagon, people, and get those who need the most help the care that they need and deserve. Why should their lives not be as full and rich as our own? That's not something that is ever going to be fair in my book. They have mental health issues, yes, but that does not have to translate into a shortened life does it? What is going on that causes their physical health to deteriorate so much more quickly, or is it simply a matter of them giving up on life a lot sooner than they should have to?"
Pamela Field is a psychiatric nurse. She can be reached at 575-312-2288 or funkyearrings@yahoo.com