Why people with severe mental disorders have shorter lifespans: expert findings
Recent studies show a disturbing trend: people with severe mental disorders live on average 15–20 years less than the rest of the population. This issue is becoming increasingly urgent for the healthcare system, as this gap in life expectancy is a significant problem for modern society.
The main reason for such premature mortality is not only the mental illnesses themselves but also comorbid physical ailments. Patients with mental disorders often face cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and other chronic illnesses that are not diagnosed in time or do not receive proper treatment.
Experts note that patients with mental disorders may have limited access to quality medical care. In addition, their health status is affected by the side effects of long-term use of certain medications, as well as social factors such as difficult living conditions or challenges in accessing healthy nutrition.
To improve the situation, doctors emphasize the need for a comprehensive approach to patient health. It is important that the medical system pays attention not only to a person's mental state but also conducts regular check-ups to detect physical illnesses at early stages.
Ensuring equal access to medical services and integrating psychiatric care with general medicine are key steps to extending the lives of such patients. This will help reduce risks and improve the overall quality of life for people who require special support.