The major complications associated with the condition are those that affect the quality of life of an individual with schizophrenia. These consist of:

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​An increased risk of premature death

The risk of premature death is significantly increased in people with schizophrenia. It has been estimated that individuals with schizophrenia have a 10 year reduced life span than the general population. This is due to an increased risk of:

 

           -Suicide: around 1 in 10 people ultimately commit suicide. The risk is greatest in those people who have had a recent diagnosis of schizophrenia and are depressed, without a job or socially alienated.

 

        -Cardiovascular disease: People with schizophrenia commonly have a poor lifestyle (lack of exercise, smoking and an unhealthy diet) which can result in the development of cardiovascular disease. Moreover, atypical antipsychotics can also worsen or cause diabetes, weight gain and dyslipidaemias, thereby increasing the risk of cardiovascular disease in a patient.

 

      -Type 2 diabetes: There is an increased risk of diabetes in patients with schizophrenia than the general population, which is a result of a combination of antipsychotic treatment and a poor lifestyle. The increased risk has been associated with both atypical and atypical antipsychotic drugs. The atypical antipsychotics are more commonly associated with weight gain, which in turn can contribute to an increased risk of type 2 diabetes.



Social impairment

Negative symptoms such as reduced speech, emotional blunting, lack of motivation and social withdrawal, experienced by a person with schizophrenia can be devastating and can lead to social impairment. This impairment can reduce an individual’s ability to work, learn, manage daily living and maintain close relationships.
 

Substance misuse

Approximately 9–35% of patients with schizophrenia misuse drugs or alcohol in the UK which may be due to:
• Exposure to socio-economic factors associated with substance misuse in the general population
• The relief of personal distress caused by symptoms of schizophrenia or the medication.
• Shared genetic susceptibility. 
Substance misuse in patients with schizophrenia typically results in a poorer outlook symptomatically and compliance to medication may be much more difficult.