Complications

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 experts 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. Experts 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.