Interplay between Schizophrenia, Diabetes, and Cardiovascular Disease

Schizophrenia is a severe, chronic mental illness that affects about 1% of people globally.Due to schizophrenia's psychotic symptoms, patients have a difficult time adhering to medications such as antipsychotics, which can negatively impact both their mental and physical health due to side effects and disorganized thoughts that arise after medication non-adherence.Furthermore, antipsychotics are known to cause weight gain and decrease insulin sensitivity, which can make patients resistant to taking antipsychotics.Nonetheless, along with taking antipsychotics, staying active is important, because antipsychotics can cause weight gain and some antipsychotics, especially second-generation antipsychotics, can reduce insulin sensitivity.Recent studies have shown that schizophrenic patients are more likely to have co-morbid conditions, like type II diabetes and cardiovascular disease.In this paper, the impact schizophrenia has on both diabetes and cardiovascular disease on diagnosis and symptom management will be explored.Due to the epidemiology, burden of symptoms, and limited methods for effective management of schizophrenia, patients with schizophrenia are more likely to experience more extensive complications from diabetes and cardiovascular disease compared to an otherwise healthy person.