Do schizophrenic people live shorter lives?

Brightside · October 25, 2015, 2:05am

Or is it just an urban legend?

mistercollie · October 25, 2015, 2:07am

Prior to SZ, I used to think I could live to be 100, now I think I might live up into my 70’s, tops. On some days I feel like I will probably not even make it past my 40’s or 50’s. Doesn’t matter to me, though. I have seen & accomplished everything I needed to in this life.

sea00115699 · October 25, 2015, 2:11am

I’ve read on websites that people with schizophrenia on average live until 53 years old and women with schizophrenia live until 55 years old. I’d be happy if I died then or younger. Life is so hard. I love my family and have such a good life, but everyday feels like a nightmare even when there are no problems in my life. It’s kind of sad actually.

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Life expectancy among persons with schizophrenia or bipolar affective disorder.

TM Laursen, Schizophrenia research, Sep 2011

Mortality rates among individuals with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder are elevated compared to the general population.The objective was to estimate life-expectancy (average age at death) among these persons and make a comparison to people in the general population.Life-expectancy was calculated by means of survival analysis techniques using the entire Danish population as a cohort.Life-expectancy was 18.7 years shorter for schizophrenic men compared to men in the general population. Corresponding numbers for schizophrenic women was 16.3 years, for bipolar men 13.6 years, and for bipolar women 12.1 years.Life-expectancy was much shorter in persons with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder. Excess mortality from physical diseases and medical conditions exerts a far greater influence on the curtailed life-expectancy, when compared against the impact of death by external causes.

mistercollie · October 25, 2015, 2:13am

53? Seems legit. I don’t see me retiring ever, which is perhaps why I am basically “retired” now. This disability is a full-time job as it is, so I don’t really care what the general populace thinks - I have a debilitating illness with no hope in sight… so be it.

Breeze · October 25, 2015, 2:24am

I have Schizophrenia and I will be 60 in November!

catfish · October 25, 2015, 3:10am

Sure but …life as a definitive is relative isn’t it?

My life ain’t the same as yours.

Tomasina · October 25, 2015, 3:59am

Do you think that people with schizoaffective disorder also live shorter lives?

darksith · October 25, 2015, 4:09am

for me personally…i hope so…
take care

catfish · October 25, 2015, 4:14am

When you’ve hit the bottom and the voices STILL won’t leave you alone? There’s only one way to look.

Naek · October 25, 2015, 6:25am

I’ve been studying sustainability values and am aiming for Immortality. Don’t underestimate the power of technological advancements

Csummers · October 25, 2015, 6:32am

Only if “god” loves us.

walkers · October 25, 2015, 8:06am

In a way it is blessing to miss out on a possible problematic old age. And also we don’t need a pension.

everhopeful · October 25, 2015, 12:52pm

Lies, damn lies and statistics. Averages mean some live a lot longer than the average.

People don’t die for no reason at all. If you have schizophrenia /sza/ bipolar you better get friendly with your doctor.

I’m getting blood tests and heart checkup every 3 months now.

The average life expectancy is 76.8 for the general population.

I’d quite like to exceed that, thank you very much.

Wave · October 25, 2015, 1:07pm

There are things people can do now in their lives, to increase their chances for a long life.

Dont drink, Dont do drugs, dont smoke, eat healthier, engage in some form of exercise everyday.

If you want to live longer, its going to take some sacrafice and work on your part - Nothing comes easily.

everhopeful · October 25, 2015, 1:09pm

I don’t hope so. I hope you beat the odds. I hope you’ll consider meds and fight the disease. If not current meds, then maybe cbd meds or iti-007. I thought the sith were fighters.

Anyway, as han solo says, ‘Never tell me the odds’

Brightside · October 25, 2015, 5:00pm

I don’t know, do they?

pansdisease · October 25, 2015, 5:55pm

A short life is what i wants.

They’ll stick you in the home and not let you go, you’ll be stuck shitting all over yourself begging for people to kill you.

Long life here on earth is horrible.

anon49185775 · October 25, 2015, 6:22pm

Yeah typical death is 55 years old. It’s due to shitty things like poor diet, no exercise, drinking and smoking more than typical, stuff like that. Typically a diet high in saturated fat and low in fiber, smoking a pack a day and not getting cardiovascular (aerobic) exercise like jogging or cycling or boxing/kickboxing.

It’s best to eat a healthy diet, not smoke, exercise, and for ■■■■■ sake don’t do street drugs.

I myself smoke a cigarette every morning but eh it’s alright I exercise and eat a strict diet and just drink coffee once in the morning. I used to smoke a pack a day and not do any cardio and take preworkout and eat crap and lift weights like I was insane (like I was insane? Or actually was?!)

everhopeful · October 25, 2015, 6:56pm

The added risk of schizophrenia vanishes once you hit 60 according to this. The risk is greatest for 20-40 year olds.

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

[Mortality and cause of death in schizophrenia. Review of the literature].

K Tabbane, R Joober, C Spadone, MF Poirier and JP Olié, L'Encephale, Jan-Feb 1993

Through a review of the literature, the average mortality in schizophrenia is twice higher than among the population. This over mortality is highest among the 20-40 years range of age and added risk tends to disappear after 60 years. All studies stress the unnatural causes of death, suicide or accidental deaths. However several studies found an over mortality caused by natural death. The pathologies most often involved are: infections, lung, gastrointestinal, urogenital and cardiovascular diseases. Cancer mortality in schizophrenic patients is still debated. Some studies point out a reduced mortality compared to the general population whereas other studies find similar or over mortality. Nevertheless mortality ratio is found to be near 1 in the majority of studies. So it can be admitted that schizophrenic patient do really not differ from the general population in regard to cancer mortality. Premature death is highly linked to suicide. The epidemiological indicators that enable us to estimate the importance of suicide mortality are: the rate of suicide per 105 patients per year varies between 150 and 500, the percentage of death by suicide range between 10 and 15 percent. Suicide risk factors are numerous. Some of them are accepted as valid and others are still discussed. The former are: male gender, young and medium age ten first years of the illness course, associated depressive symptoms, past history of suicide attempts, iterative relapses and post hospital discharge period. The latter are: social isolation, celibacy, unemployment, high level of instruction, delusional and hallucinatory activity and familiar rejection.

Ridgerunner · October 25, 2015, 7:41pm

Thank you @everhopeful for posting that. I’m 61 so it nice to know I’m doing well. I am aiming for another 39 years.

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Do schizophrenic people live shorter lives?

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