3 ms·
>Life expectancy as about 17 years less for those with the diagnosis That's interesting. Is that due to some sort of biological action of the illness itself or
by andyjdavis 12y ago
>Life expectancy as about 17 years less for those with the diagnosis
That's interesting. Is that due to some sort of biological action of the illness itself or is it due to behaviors that are associated with the illness?
To put it another way, is it due to illness itself shortening their life span or due to behaviors like self medicating with alcohol or a higher suicide rate?
- michaelochurch 12y agoMix of factors. Drugs play a role (especially alcohol and cigarettes) but a surprising percentage of the deaths are non-drug cardiovascular deaths, related to poor diet (many mentally ill people are obese and diabetic by middle age) and high levels of chronic stress. Being low on the socioeconomic totem pole, even for a short time, is pretty dangerous to the heart, brain, and immune system.
- cypherpunks01 12y agoAn also shocking percentage: One in ten people who suffer from schizophrenia dies by suicide.