An ‘epidemic
within an epidemic’ – the physical health needs of young people
with severe mental illness
A special article published
in today’s (1 October 2012) The Psychiatrist argues that
clinicians should not dismiss problems such as weight gain and
obesity in young patients being treated for psychosis.
The paper highlights that of
the 7,500 people who develop a psychosis in England each year, many
face a future compromised by poor physical health in addition to
psychological difficulties. Antipsychotic drugs often lead to rapid
weight gain and increases in cholesterol, compromising the
patient’s broader health and well being.
The authors argue that to
ignore the potentially serious cardiac and metabolic consequences
of these younger patients could be to condone health
inequalities.
Men with a diagnosis of
psychosis live 20 years less than the general population, while
women with the diagnosis live 15 years less, with evidence that
this ‘mortality gap’ may be widening.
The authors say: “Behind
this ‘scandal of premature mortality’ lies a reality that mental
and physical disorders frequently co-exist, often intertwined with
social exclusion and restricted opportunity, bringing with it all
the problems of disadvantage.”
The article highlights the
context of a dramatic rise in obesity and type 2 diabetes in young
people and states: “Given the rapid demographic shift in patterns
of obesity, the impact on weight gain for young people with
psychosis may be disproportionately greater, adding more evidence
to our concern that we are witnessing an epidemic within an
epidemic.”
The authors argue that
although the relative importance of genetics, demographics and
antipsychotic medication is unclear, it is certain is that young
people acquire cardiovascular risk factors very quickly in the
early phase of psychosis.
They argue for a more
preventive approach towards treatment for young people as well as
greater choice for patients in their treatment options.
Ends
Reference
Sue Bailey, Clare
Gerada, Helen Lester, David Shiers. The cardiovascular health of
young people with severe mental illness: addressing an epidemic
within an epidemic. The Psychiatrist, 1 October
2012.
For further
information please contact Gary Ward, Temporary Media &
Communications Manager, Royal College of
Psychiatrists.
Tel: 020 7235 2351 ext 6298;
email: gward@rcpsych.ac.uk
For further information, please
contact:
Liz Leicester
or Deborah Hart in the Communications
Department.
Telephone: 020 7235 2351 Extensions. 6298 or 6127