New Survey Uncovers Obstacles To General Health Care for People with Schizophrenia

Respondents Say Overall Health Key to Recovery

Here’s a shocking statistic: People with serious mental illnesses such as schizophrenia die at least 25 years earlier, on average, than people in the general population, mostly due to preventable medical conditions like diabetes, heart disease and infectious diseases.

A new survey released by Mental Health America, "Communicating About Health: A Mental Health America Survey of People with Schizophrenia and Providers," for the first time brings together the perspectives of psychiatrists and people with schizophrenia, and exposes roadblocks to overall health for patients. Results reveal that better doctor/patient communication could improve patients’ general health—and extend the lives of millions of people.

Multiple Causes for Premature Death Rate

There are several reasons why people with more serious mental health conditions die prematurely, according to a 2006 report by the National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors called “Morbidity and Mortality in People with Serious Mental Illnesses.” For one, people who have serious mental illnesses (SMIs) are three times more likely to smoke, be overweight and have low rates of activity—all of which can contribute to diabetes, stroke and heart disease. Sometimes medications used to treat mental health conditions are also partly to blame, because they can cause side effects that contribute to other medical issues. On top of that, people with SMIs are less likely to have access to a primary care doctor.

Survey Reveals Communication Disconnect

Mental Health America’s new survey shows that although psychiatrists and people with schizophrenia are aware of ways to maintain and improve overall health through exercise, diet and other habits, there are barriers preventing them from discussing those topics to the extent that they should.

“We should all be alarmed and outraged that the lives of people with schizophrenia are being cut short by 25 years,” said David Shern, Ph.D., president and CEO of Mental Health America. “This survey tells us that mental health providers and people with schizophrenia must communicate more about health conditions, and work together to develop healthy behaviors. This is essential if we’re to turn the tide of this public health crisis and extend the lives of the millions of Americans with schizophrenia.”

Overall Health Key to Recovery

While many psychiatrists report discussing general health issues with their patients to some degree, the survey found that they face challenges to doing so sufficiently. Eighty-three percent of psychiatrists say that short visits make helping their patients difficult and 74 percent feel they are not as wellequipped to address their patients’ comprehensive health compared to primary care physicians.

Of the respondents with schizophrenia, 82 percent say that getting treatment for their overall health—not just their mental illness—is important to their recovery. Yet nearly half of these respondents expect their psychiatrist to focus only on their mental health (48 percent) rather than on their whole body health.

Medication Side Effects are Key Concern

The survey also shows considerable concern about medication side effects, which include weight gain and other problems that may be putting people who have schizophrenia at risk for diabetes and heart disease. Sixty-nine percent of people with schizophrenia report that they have stopped taking medicine due to negative side effects that affected their quality of life. And almost 40 percent say that the longest period of time they have remained on a medication is less than a year.

“People with schizophrenia or other serious mental illnesses need to become more involved in their health care,” said Shern. “If you or someone you know has a serious mental illness, it’s important to be aware of health issues like diet, exercise and medication side effects and to regularly discuss them with your doctor or mental health professional.”

About the Survey

Mental Health America commissioned “Communicating About Health: A Mental Health America Survey of People with Schizophrenia and Providers,” the first national independent online survey to examine comprehensive care from the perspectives of both mental health consumers and psychiatrists. It was conducted by International Communications Research, a leading independent research company.

Surveys were conducted online between Sept.17 and Oct. 12, 2007, among a sample of 250 psychiatrists as well as 250 adults with schizophrenia (ages 18 and older) who had been diagnosed by a qualified medical professional. The margin of error for the survey is ± 6.2 percent. The survey was funded by an unrestricted educational grant from Solvay Pharmaceuticals and Wyeth Pharmaceuticals, and by an anonymous individual donation.

For more information, visit Mental Health America at www.mentalhealthamerica. net.