A Few Facts About Schizophrenia

~ It is estimated approximately 50% of patients with schizophrenia do not take their prescribed medications as directed. The most common reason is anosognosia, meaning they are unaware of their condition.

~ Lack of treatment leads to severe negative health outcomes, including a life expectancy shortened by an average of 28.5 years. 

~ Approximately half of individuals with schizophrenia have co-occurring mental or behavioral health disorders.

~ Co-occurring medical conditions such as heart disease, liver disease, and diabetes contribute to the higher premature mortality rate among individuals with schizophrenia.

~ Following illness onset, 25-50% of those living with schizophrenia attempt suicide.

~ At least 50% of people with severe psychiatric illnesses like schizophrenia smoke, compared to 23% of the general population. 

~ Smoking-related illnesses cause half of all deaths among people with psychiatric disorders. 

~ Those diagnosed with schizophrenia smoke more than half of all cigarettes produced in the United States, and they are only half as likely as other smokers to quit.