What impact are psychotropic drugs having on our physical health?

[firemonkee57]

It is widely reported that patients with schizophrenia are at increased risk of poor physical health and are dying 20 years earlier than the general population (see People with schizophrenia are significantly more likely to die from heart disease and cancer and National Schizophrenia Audit calls for improved monitoring of physical health in people with schizophrenia). A number of factors may influence this: stigma, poorer access to healthcare, diagnostic overshadowing, lifestyle factors and the adverse effects of psychotropic medications.

This paper by Correll and colleagues (Correll et al, 2015) aims to summarise physical health risks associated with various drug treatments (antipsychotics, antidepressants and mood stabilisers) for people with schizophrenia, depression and bipolar disorder.

What impact do psychotropic drugs have on physical health?

 

[SarahD]

Very depressing.