If you or a loved one has schizophrenia, you may have wondered about your outlook or whether the disease affects your life expectancy. While there’s no cure for schizophrenia, there are various treatments and mental health interventions. Effective treatment can help improve your outcomes while living with the condition.

The prognosis (outlook) of schizophrenia varies and depends on several factors. These include your lifestyle choices, treatment choices, and co-occurring conditions. With early diagnosis and treatment, most people with schizophrenia can live full and productive lives.

When looking at life expectancy, it’s important to note that schizophrenia itself isn’t a common cause of death. However, having schizophrenia may increase your risk of death from other causes.

Studies have found differences in average life expectancy for people with schizophrenia compared to those without the condition. In some cases, the difference is about 15 to 20 years. It’s important to remember that this varies widely, and there are many ways to support long-term health and well-being.

Keep reading to learn more about how schizophrenia can affect life expectancy and what may help support a longer, healthier life.

Research on Schizophrenia Life Expectancy and Prognosis

A 2022 study looked at the outcomes of people living with schizophrenia after 20 years or more. The study found that, for nearly 60 percent of people with schizophrenia, mental health had improved over 20 years.

The same study found that about 24 percent of people said they had recovered from the condition. Recovery or remission of schizophrenia has various definitions. The Remission in Schizophrenia Working Group (RSWG) defined it as a decrease in schizophrenia symptoms to the point where they no longer interfere with your daily life.

Another study found several factors that may help people with schizophrenia live longer. The study found that changing certain lifestyle, healthcare, and social factors could help people with schizophrenia live up to seven years longer. These include:

• Lifestyle factors — Quitting smoking, participating in exercise, and treating substance use
• Healthcare factors — Improving access to health services
• Social factors — Having strong social connections

Quitting smoking may be a key factor in helping people with schizophrenia live longer. Smoking-related conditions accounted for 46 percent of all deaths in people with schizophrenia in this study. Stopping smoking alone could potentially improve life expectancy by up to two years and five months in people with schizophrenia.

Quitting smoking may be a key factor in helping people with schizophrenia live longer.

Factors That Affect Schizophrenia Life Expectancy and Outcomes

Studies show that people living with schizophrenia have a shorter life expectancy than the general population. This may be due to lifestyle factors, inadequate healthcare, or a risk of accidental death or suicide. Here’s what you need to know about these risks.

Lifestyle Factors

Some lifestyle factors may contribute to worse outcomes for people with schizophrenia. These risk factors may include:

• An unhealthy diet
• Lack of exercise
• Excessive smoking and substance use

These lifestyle factors can harm your overall health and contribute to other medical conditions, such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and obesity.

Smoking

Smoking is also a significant health concern for people living with schizophrenia. About 60 percent to 90 percent of people diagnosed with the condition use tobacco. In fact, fatal, smoking-related diseases are more common in people with schizophrenia than in the general population.

Substance Use

Substance use can also contribute to worse outcomes and reduced lifespan in people living with schizophrenia. For example, researchers have found that people with schizophrenia who have substance use disorders may consider suicide more often and encounter violence. Substance use is also associated with trouble sticking with treatments, more relapses, and more hospitalizations.

Inadequate Healthcare

Studies have found that people living with schizophrenia may not receive the healthcare they need. For example, researchers have discovered that those with schizophrenia aren’t prescribed medications to treat high blood pressure as often as needed and undergo fewer physical examinations and surgeries. People with schizophrenia also may not be treated as well by healthcare professionals and often have trouble following a treatment plan due to problems with thinking and memory.

Risk of Accidental Death or Suicide

People living with schizophrenia have a higher risk of accidental death and suicide compared to the general population. In fact, one large study of people with schizophrenia found that about 33 percent of deaths are from unnatural causes like accidents or suicides.

Studies have found that people with schizophrenia have a higher risk of accidental death and suicide.

Note: If you or someone you know needs help, you can contact the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988 or chatting online.

Adults with schizophrenia may also be at increased risk of being injured or killed by others, particularly by law enforcement. Although research on this topic is limited, one study found that those with schizophrenia on Medicaid were three times more likely to die during a legal intervention.

People with schizophrenia also have higher rates of suicide compared to the general population. The suicide rate among adults with schizophrenia is 8.5 to 14 times higher than that of the general population. Research has found that this most often happens within the first 10 years after a diagnosis.

Having trouble following a treatment plan can increase the risk of suicide. However, taking antipsychotic medications as prescribed doesn’t completely erase the risk of suicide either. Sometimes, those who take medications as directed still consider suicide. These findings highlight the importance of screening all people with schizophrenia for suicidal thoughts and providing needed support.

Ways To Improve Your Schizophrenia Life Expectancy and Prognosis

There are some factors within your control that may help improve your outlook with schizophrenia:

• Make mental health a priority — Focus on taking care of your mind as well as your body.
• Live a healthy lifestyle — Eat well, exercise regularly, and get enough sleep.
• Be engaged in your healthcare — Stay active in managing your health by understanding and following your treatment plans.
• Talk to your doctor — Keep open communication with your healthcare provider about any concerns or changes in your health.

Make Mental Health a Priority

A person with schizophrenia can live a normal life. Although average life expectancy may be lower for people with schizophrenia, each person is different, and population averages do not apply to everyone.

Starting antipsychotic medication early and taking it regularly is key to improving your outcomes and increasing your life expectancy with schizophrenia. You may need to change medications before you find one that works well for you. Being upfront with your doctor about your symptoms and how your medications are affecting you is key.

Experts recommend continuing antipsychotic medication for at least 12 months after your initial symptoms disappear.

Besides antipsychotic drugs, there are many psychosocial treatments that may help, depending on your needs. Talking openly with your healthcare provider is important so you can get the most out of these treatments and address any suicide risk quickly if needed.

Live a Healthy Lifestyle

Quitting smoking and addressing substance use issues can significantly improve quality of life. This is true for everyone, not just those with schizophrenia. Additionally, if you stop smoking, it can help lower your risk of cardiovascular disease, respiratory diseases, and lung cancer.

Seeking help for substance use can help lower your risk of accidental death and suicide. A healthy diet with moderate exercise and avoidance of substances can lower your risk of heart and liver disease and improve your overall health.

Be Engaged in Your Healthcare

People with schizophrenia need to get regular healthcare checkups. Studies show that people with schizophrenia may not receive the same level of medical care as those who don’t have a serious mental illness. You and your loved ones may need to advocate for regular screenings and appropriate treatment.

Medications for schizophrenia, like antipsychotics, can cause side effects that might affect your weight and blood sugar or cause other physical health changes. That’s why regular follow-ups are key to staying healthy overall. Your doctor can monitor these changes and adjust your medications if needed.

Talk to Your Doctor

If you or a loved one is living with schizophrenia, speak with a healthcare provider. Your doctor can answer questions about schizophrenia, including life expectancy and prognosis. They can also recommend a treatment plan and help you understand how to live better with schizophrenia.

Join the Conversation

On MyDepressionTeam, people share their experiences with depression and related conditions, get advice, and find support from others who understand.

If you have been diagnosed with schizophrenia, what steps are you taking to live a healthy lifestyle and improve your quality of life? Let others know in the comments below.