There is currently no known cure for schizophrenia and a full recovery from schizophrenia is unusual, with only approximately 15% returning to previous functioning capabilities. However, most individuals with the condition are able to live a meaningful and satisfying life, in the presence or absence of symptoms.
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For most patients, the symptoms tend to change over time and the impact they have on the life and daily activities of each individual may vary significantly. In general, women patients are more likely than men to maintain the improvement of symptoms.
Mortality rates
Patients with schizophrenia are subjected to a slightly higher rate of mortality, which is 1.6 times higher than that of the general population. This is primarily linked to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, respiratory disease and cancer.
Suicide also plays a major role as suicide by patients with schizophrenia is nine times more likely than in people that are not affected by the condition. The lifetime risk of suicide for patients is 5%.
Impact of medical management
Treatments are available that can help to reduce the symptoms of schizophrenia and decrease the number and duration of psychotic episodes. These are able to help most patients to live productive and satisfying lives.
Management of schizophrenia includes a combination of pharmaceutical treatment and counseling. Adequate control of the disorder with these methods has led to the majority of patients improving symptoms to be able to function independently, ten years following diagnosis. Some patients continue to require a strong support network, however, and approximately 15% remain in a hospitalized environment.
Positive symptoms tend to respond better to antipsychotic medication than negative symptoms, which are more persistent. For this reason, patients with fewer negative symptoms tend to have a better prognosis and medication is more effective at helping them to live normal lives.
Factors for poor prognosis
There are some particular factors that are associated with a poorer prognosis. These include:
- Early-onset of illness
- Male
- Strong negative symptoms
- Family history of schizophrenia
- Structural brain abnormalities
- Prominent cognitive symptoms
- Cigarette smoking
- Poor nutrition
- Sedentary lifestyle
- Inadequate medical care
- Poor support system
- History of substance abuse
The prevalence of substance misuse among individuals with schizophrenia is much higher than the general population, with 36% of patients reporting a problem. Patients that use recreational drugs or smoke cigarettes have a poorer prognosis due to the effect of these substances on brain pathways and mental function.
Factors for good prognosis
There are some particular factors that are associated with a better prognosis. These include:
- No family history of schizophrenia
- Stable personality and relationships prior to diagnosis
- Acute onset
- Older age at onset
- Prompt treatment
- Motivation and initiative
- Female
- Fewer negative symptoms
- Good support system
Schizophrenia - causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment & pathology
Additional factors
Many patients with schizophrenia, particularly those with an insufficient support system, have difficulty coping in society and securing employment. For this reason, they often need to deal with the burden of poverty in addition to the medical symptoms. This can subsequently lead to limited medical care access and poor control of the disease.
It is essential that schizophrenic patients be offered adequate support and counseling to help them to integrate into society. With the appropriate management, most patients can improve significantly and many can become entirely independent when they have learned how to manage their symptoms.
References
Further Reading
Understanding schizophrenia through genetics and neural pathways