Schizophrenia, a complex and persistent mental disorder, impacts approximately 24 million people worldwide,1 but its reach extends beyond the individuals it affects directly. Characterized by profound disruptions in thinking, perception, and emotional responsiveness, schizophrenia reshapes the lives of those with the condition and can burden their loved ones and caregivers as well. The condition is often misunderstood, leading to stigma, isolation, and, for many, a shortened lifespan.

A Prevalent Challenge With Deep, Lasting Effects

Although schizophrenia’s estimated global prevalence rate of 0.33% to 0.75% may seem low, its impact is anything but minor.2 Schizophrenia commonly strikes during the prime years of a person’s life—usually during late adolescence to early adulthood. These early onset years are particularly challenging, as young adults with schizophrenia face a new world of positive and negative symptoms, including cognitive impairment. Positive symptoms may include hallucinations, delusions, and distorted thinking, while negative symptoms may include flattened mood, alogia, and avolition.3  

For many individuals with schizophrenia, symptoms may become persistent and disabling. With limited motivation to accomplish goals, difficulty forming and maintaining social relationships, and functional and cognitive impairment as enduring features, schizophrenia frequently limits patients’ potential and autonomy, impacting nearly every facet of daily life.2  

The Heavy Toll on Life Expectancy and Physical Health

Beyond its cognitive and social impacts, schizophrenia can exert a serious physical toll on individuals, contributing to a significantly reduced life expectancy. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), people with schizophrenia are “2 to 3 times more likely to die early than the general population.”1 Researchers estimate that people with schizophrenia experience 28.5 years of potential life lost on average.4 Physical health challenges are also common, including high rates of obesity, heart disease, liver disease, and diabetes. Unfortunately, these co-occurring conditions are often under-detected and under-treated, worsening outcomes for those living with schizophrenia.2

WHO highlights the magnitude of this impact, emphasizing that schizophrenia is “one of the top 15 leading causes of disability worldwide.” For individuals with schizophrenia, the burden is not just the illness itself, but also the complications arising from limited access to effective care, particularly in lower-resource settings. While advances in mental healthcare have been made, stigma and resource constraints may still prevent many from receiving the treatment they need.1

The Often-Invisible Impact on Caregivers

As life with schizophrenia reshapes an individual’s reality, it similarly impacts their families and caregivers, who often also endure both emotional and financial tolls. Caregivers are tasked with managing a challenging balance: supporting their loved one’s treatment while also potentially facing significant psychological strain, financial pressure, and social isolation. Studies indicate that nearly half of individuals with schizophrenia have other concurrent mental and behavioral health conditions, further complicating the caregiving role.2 Comorbid substance use disorders can be particularly devastating.

Over 87% of caregivers report some level of burden, with 38% reporting a severe level of caregiving burden.5 Caregivers are often the first to respond to patients’ crises, shouldering responsibilities like managing medications, coordinating healthcare appointments, and providing daily emotional support. This can be overwhelming, as families navigate a healthcare system that is often fragmented or under-resourced when it comes to comprehensive mental health services. Stigma only adds to the challenge, isolating families from social networks and support systems that could alleviate some of the burden.6  

A Call for Greater Awareness and Comprehensive Care

Globally, more than two-thirds of the population with psychosis, including schizophrenia, do not receive the mental healthcare they need—a staggering gap that underscores the urgent need for accessible, comprehensive treatment models.7 Understanding the scale and depth of schizophrenia’s impact on both patients and caregivers is critical. It is imperative for healthcare providers to advocate for better resources and support systems that not only improve access to mental healthcare but also address the often-overlooked physical health needs of individuals with schizophrenia and their caregivers.

Schizophrenia is a life-altering condition, not just for those diagnosed but also for everyone around them. Addressing patients’ mental and physical health holistically—and supporting caregivers along the way—can make a significant difference in improving outcomes and quality of life. 

For more information, please see the other blogs in this series: 


References: 

  1. Schizophrenia. World Health Organization. January 10, 2022. Accessed November 21, 2024. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/schizophrenia
  2. Schizophrenia. National Institute of Mental Health. Accessed November 21, 2024. https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/schizophrenia
  3. Soares-Weiser K, Maayan N, Bergman H, et al. First rank symptoms for schizophrenia. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2015;1(1):CD010653. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD010653.pub2  
  4. Olfson M, Gerhard T, Huang C, Crystal S, Stroup TS. Premature mortality among adults with schizophrenia in the United States. JAMA Psychiatry. 2015;72(12):1172-1181. doi:10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2015.1737
  5. Rahmani F, Roshangar F, Gholizadeh L, Asghari E. Caregiver burden and the associated factors in the family caregivers of patients with schizophrenia. Nurs Open. 2022;9(4):1995-2002. doi:10.1002/nop2.1205
  6. Pristavec T. The burden and benefits of caregiving: a latent class analysis. Gerontologist. 2019;59(6):1078-1091. doi:10.1093/geront/gny022
  7. Jaeschke K, Hanna F, Ali S, Chowdhary N, Dua T, Charlson F. Global estimates of service coverage for severe mental disorders: findings from the WHO Mental Health Atlas 2017. Glob Ment Health (Camb). 2021;8:e27. doi:10.1017/gmh.2021.19