Recently, a reader made a comment about life expectancy in people who have schizophrenia. This has been a subject of considerable debate for years in psychiatry. The sad truth is that people with the illness die sooner than the general p...
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Coronary Heart Disease.
Janet
Monday, July 09, 2007 at 04:03 PM -
schizophrenics
bea
Tuesday, July 10, 2007 at 10:20 PMyou know i have a 14 year old son that has this he takes respirdale 2 a day i was told bye his doctor that he will grow out of this is this true? could you please help me on this. a concern mom
replyre: schizophrenics
Christina Bruni
Wednesday, July 11, 2007 at 10:53 AMDear Concerned Mom,
It is rare that someone with schizophrenia has a "spontaneous remission."
I'm not sure why your son's doctor said he will grow out of it. Was your son diagnosed with schizophrenia?
Most people who truly do have schizophrenia require life-long medication and treatment.
That said, someone with schizophrenia can indeed live a full, productive life.
As you can see, if you read the posts on this website, there is hope.
Christina B.
replyre: re: schizophrenics
BEA
Wednesday, July 11, 2007 at 03:54 PMTHANKS CHRISTINE FOR GETTING BACK WITH ME I SHOULD OF SAID THAT ANOTHER WAY HE WAS DIAG WITH SCH AFFECT IS THERE A DIFFERENCE WITH THIS? COMPARE TO SCHIZOPHRENICS. BEA
replyschizoaffective
Christina Bruni
Thursday, July 12, 2007 at 11:01 AMHello Bea,
Schizoaffective is a "combo" of schizophrenic symptoms (such as paranoia or psychosis) with a mood disorder, such as depression.
As with schizophrenia proper, life-long treatment is needed. Most people who go off their meds don't do well.
That said, some psychiatrists will try to wean their patient off the meds provided the patient has been stable, with no relapses, for at least 5 years.
I still believe, from my own experience seeing others go off their meds, that it causes irreversible harm in a lot of cases. Only about 5% of the people diagnosed with these conditions are able to live without treatment.
My contention is that, in someone so young, I wouldn't try to take them off the meds unless the doctor believes going without treatment is the right course of action to take right now. And you would have to trust the doctor without hesitation, so that's your choice to make.
Schizophrenia, and possibly schizoaffective, are conditions which do improve or remain stable with age, so the older one is, the chances are good for a solid recovery.
If your son has had more than one or two relapses, it would be advisable for him to stay on the meds.
Best wishes,
Chris
replyre: schizoaffective
bea
Thursday, July 12, 2007 at 02:05 PMchristina thank you for your concern god bless you today and always bea
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I was curious to ask the question if a person has been living with schizophrenia over half of their life and have made healthy changes in their life style if those changes could allow a person to live longer?
Let me briefly describe my changes in my life stye. First of all I have managed to lose over 50 pounds and have increased my exercise program. I walk 2-3 miles daily and also work out with weights 3-4 days a week and do other exercises when I don't work out with the weights. i also have made a few changes in my diet like never eating fries and and cutting out desserts. I also do not drink much caffeine. I never have smoked. I also have a psychiatrist that I feel is the best in the business. My choelestrol is around 200 and my sugar level is fine.
The one thing I also wonder is that my Dad has an irregular heart beat and has a pace maker. My Mom is in exceptionally good health but takes Lipitor.
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