Complications:

Schizophrenia has a devastating effect on all aspects of human thought, emotion, and expression. Only about 20% of patients reach full recovery after a first episode, but new drugs are offering significant hope for improving quality of life.

Medical Illnesses

Studies have reported that people with severe mental illnesses suffer more from serious health problems than those without mental disorders, and they are less likely to receive medical help. Substance abuse is a significant factor in this higher risk.

Research has suggested an increased risk of diabetes among people with schizophrenia. In addition, many new antipsychotic medications can elevate blood sugar levels. Patients taking atypical antipsychotics drugs -- such as clozapine, olanzapine, risperidone, aripiprazole, quetiapine fumarate, and ziprasidone -- should receive a baseline blood sugar level reading and be monitored for any increases in blood sugar levels. (See “Diabetes Risk and Atypical Antipsychotics” in Medications section.)

Depression

Depression is common later in adulthood. Although this mood disorder can certainly be a result of the negative social impact of schizophrenia, some doctors believe that depression is part of the disease process itself.

Effect on Social Status

Studies indicate that after 20 - 30 years, half of patients are able to care for themselves, work, and participate socially. Support services and appropriate housing improve this outcome. Unsurprisingly, the decline in status, including the inability to earn a living, is less steep when there are more financial resources and fewer emotional disorders at the outset of symptoms. Also, on average, the later the onset of the disease, the milder the social impact. The long-term effects on work and relationships, however, are usually severe and difficult to repair, even if symptoms improve.

Effect on Intelligence

In one study, about half of patients experienced some decline in IQ (10 points or more), but intelligence scores remained the same in the other half. Researchers believe that a decline in IQ reflects early nerve damage but that it is not an inevitable consequence of the disease process.

Suicide

In spite of the sometimes frightening behavior, people with schizophrenia are no more likely to behave violently than are those in the general population. In fact, these patients are more apt to withdraw from others or to harm themselves.

Suicide. Between 20 - 50% of patients with schizophrenia attempt suicide, and an estimated 9 - 13% commit suicide.

The general risk for suicide is higher at certain times in the course of the disease:

• Within the first 5 years of onset of the disease
• During the first 6 months after hospitalization
• Following an acute psychotic episode

The widespread use of antipsychotic drugs over the past decade does not appear to have had much effect on suicide rates. In fact, evidence suggests that the use of these drugs as a way of reducing hospitalization time is increasing the incidence of suicide. Depression, not delusions, appears to be the most important motive for suicide in these patients. Suicide risk is also associated with prior suicide attempts, drug abuse, agitation, poor treatment compliance, fear of mental deterioration, and personal loss.

Self-Destructive Behaviors

Smoking and Other Addictions. Most people with schizophrenia abuse nicotine, alcohol, and other substances. Substance abuse, in addition to its other adverse effects, increases non-compliance with antipsychotic drugs in the schizophrenic patient and may worsen symptoms.

Smoking is of special interest. According to one study, up to 88% of schizophrenic patients are nicotine dependent. Biologic and genetic factors may be partially responsible for the addiction in this particular group. Nicotine helps reduce psychotic symptoms and impulsivity, perhaps by inhibiting the activity of a protein called monoamine oxidase B (MAO- B), which is linked to improved mood and possibly to nerve protection. Smoking for schizophrenics, then, may be a form of self-medication.

Obesity and Diabetes. Obesity is very common in patients with schizophrenia. Factors that contribute to obesity and diabetes in these patients include unstable lifestyle, low social economic status, and side effects of any antipsychotic medications. Patients should be monitored closely for onset diabetes.

Effect on Family Members

Family members suffer from grief, long-term guilt, and many emotional issues when faced with a schizophrenic loved one. If these patients commit suicide, the effects can be devastating.

Lack of Social and Government Support

In the 1970s, tens of thousands of patients were put on antipsychotic drugs and released from institutions into the community, a concept called deinstitutionalization. In spite of these attempts to reduce mental hospital costs, schizophrenia still accounts for 40% of all long-term hospitalization days. More than half of patients with schizophrenia require public assistance within a year of their reentry into the community.