Does schizophrenia reduce one's life expectancy?

Serious mental illnesses like schizophrenia often reduce a person's life expectancy, and the reduction can be quite significant. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, people with conditions like schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and major depression die, on average, 25 years sooner than those without mental health problems. For instance, most adult men today have a life expectancy of 78 years. Those with schizophrenia or another serious mental illness, have a life expectancy of about 53 years.

There are two factors that may contribute to a shorter life span. First, people with schizophrenia have a 1 in 10 chance of committing suicide, which is higher than the general population. They also are more likely to have serious medical conditions than the average person. These health problems may contribute to earlier death.