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People with severe mental illness die on average 13 to 15 years earlier than the general population. The main causes are not only the mental illnesses themselves, but above all physical illnesses such as cardiovascular diseases – which in turn are strongly influenced by lifestyle.
Smoking, lack of exercise, an unhealthy diet and poor sleep are particularly widespread in this patient group. These factors not only worsen mental health, but also increase the risk of diabetes, heart attacks and strokes. According to the latest Lancet Psychiatry Commission, around 70 % of deaths among people with severe mental illness are due to physical illness.
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A healthy lifestyle has a double effect
The experts therefore emphasize that measures such as dietary advice, exercise programs, smoking cessation and sufficient sleep have a dual effect: they alleviate psychological symptoms and protect physical health at the same time. This makes them an effective supplement to traditional psychotherapy or drug treatment.
However, the focus in psychiatric care is still often solely on crisis intervention and medication. Lifestyle measures have so far played a secondary role. The commission is therefore calling for a paradigm shift:
More investment in prevention and education
Access to nutrition and exercise experts
Training professionals in dealing with lifestyle issues
Structural support so that those affected can make healthy choices in the first place – for example, by reducing barriers to accessing sports facilities or healthy foods
“Our lifestyle can significantly influence the course of mental and physical health,” emphasizes nutritionist Scott Teasdale from the University of New South Wales in the paper. However, healthy routines are particularly difficult to implement for people with mental illness. And all too often, poverty, isolation or stigmatization add to the hurdles.
Attaching greater importance to lifestyle is increasingly becoming a central component of healthcare. Not only in this field, but especially in psychiatry, it has been proven that it can save years of life. Investing in a better lifestyle prevents secondary illnesses, reduces the burden on healthcare systems and improves quality of life.
