Schizophrenia: Navigating Medical Comorbidities

People with Schizophrenia are at increased risk for developing medical illness, including Cardiovascular Disease, Hypertension, Diabetes, and Dyslipidemia, which may exacerbate their psychiatric illness and contribute to their high mortality rates (i.e., two–four times greater than that found in the general population). Lifestyle factors, including poor diet, physical inactivity, and cigarette smoking likely play a contributing role. Nonetheless, co-occurring medical problems in this population often remain undetected until the diseases are in the advanced phases and are less responsive to intervention. To promote the overall health and quality of life among people with Schizophrenia, it is imperative that clinicians obtain a better understanding of the health problems these patients are susceptible to. This course provides an overview of common medical conditions found in Schizophrenic patients. In addition, methods of assessing and managing behavioral risk factors associated with these disorders are presented.