Why don’t people who have schizophrenia exercise much despite the great benefits and need? Here is what one study out of Spain suggests an answer to that question:
Physical activity (PA) can help reduce cardiovascular disease and premature mortality in people with psychosis. However, there is a paucity of representative data on PA in people with psychosis, especially from low- and middle-income countries (LMICs)
Mobility difficulties explained the largest amount of low Physical Activity among males (18.5%)
followed by self-care difficulties (16.3%),
depression (16.1%),
cognition (11.8%),
pain and discomfort (11.4%),
interpersonal activities (8.6%),
sleep and energy (7.2%),
and vision (3.0%)
I wouldnt mind doing some questionnaires. Although there is a risk they will distort the results to fit their pre conceived ideas. But I would still do it for the cash…
I do care a lot about research because I am not content with the current available treatment for my illness. Before my psychotic break I had the energy for a full time job and social interactions and also lots of physical activity. Now I look like a vegetable, almost bed ridden. I dont want to know how the cow lived and what it ate before meeting its butcher, I only want solid results. Most research nowadays is beating around the bush but sometimes good stuff pops up, stuff that keeps me optimistic. And I usually point that out for people who might have the same interests as me.
I see that physical mobility (or the lack there of) is the main culprit of inactivity for people with psychiatric illness. Well, their real difficultly is the cognitive deficits and avolition and ahedonia which contributes to their inadequate exercise. It is a soild catch 22.
One way of increasing activity might be very small steps to getting out and about. That requires someone to keep their motivation levels up. No reward and punishment nonsense, just someone who is patiently on their side.