Associated Conditions for Schizophrenia
Excerpts on associated medical conditions for Schizophrenia:
Schizophrenia: NIMH (Excerpt)
Substance abuse is a common concern of the family and friends of
people with schizophrenia. Since some people who abuse drugs may
show symptoms similar to those of schizophrenia, people with
schizophrenia may be mistaken for people "high on drugs.” While most
researchers do not believe that substance abuse causes
schizophrenia, people who have schizophrenia often abuse alcohol
and/or drugs, and may have particularly bad reactions to certain
drugs. Substance abuse can reduce the effectiveness of treatment for
schizophrenia. Stimulants (such as amphetamines or cocaine) may
cause major problems for patients with schizophrenia, as may PCP or
marijuana. In fact, some people experience a worsening of their
schizophrenic symptoms when they are taking such drugs. Substance
abuse also reduces the likelihood that patients will follow the
treatment plans recommended by their doctors.
(Source: excerpt from Schizophrenia: NIMH)
Schizophrenia: NIMH (Excerpt)
The most common form of substance use disorder in people with
schizophrenia is nicotine dependence due to smoking. While the
prevalence of smoking in the U.S. population is about 25 to 30
percent, the prevalence among people with schizophrenia is
approximately three times as high. Research has shown that the
relationship between smoking and schizophrenia is complex. Although
people with schizophrenia may smoke to self medicate their symptoms,
smoking has been found to interfere with the response to
antipsychotic drugs. Several studies have found that schizophrenia
patients who smoke need higher doses of antipsychotic medication.
Quitting smoking may be especially difficult for people with
schizophrenia, because the symptoms of nicotine withdrawal may cause
a temporary worsening of schizophrenia symptoms. However, smoking
cessation strategies that include nicotine replacement methods may
be effective. Doctors should carefully monitor medication dosage and
response when patients with schizophrenia either start or stop
smoking. (Source: excerpt from Schizophrenia: NIMH)
List of associated medical conditions for Schizophrenia:
The list of conditions mentioned by various sources
as associated with Schizophrenia includes:
About associated conditions for Schizophrenia:
Associated conditions are those which appear
statistically related, but do not have
a clear cause or effect relationship.
Whereas the complications
are caused by Schizophrenia,
and underlying causes
may be causes of Schizophrenia,
the following list shows associated conditions
that simply appear with higher frequency in people
who have Schizophrenia.
In some cases, there may be overlap
between this list and risk factors
for Schizophrenia.
People with Schizophrenia may be more likely to
get a condition on the list of associated conditions,
or the reverse may be true, or both.
Whether they are causes of, caused by, or simply
coincidentally related to Schizophrenia
is not always clear.
For general information,
see Associated Condition Misdiagnosis.
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