Mental health condition
Life expectancy with severe mental illness
Severe mental illness, including schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, is associated with a significant gap in life expectancy, most of which comes from physical health conditions rather than the illness itself.
What the research suggests
Research, including analyses in Lancet Psychiatry, associates severe mental illness with a notable reduction in average life expectancy, often cited in the region of ten to fifteen years. Much of this gap is driven by higher rates of cardiovascular disease, smoking, and barriers to physical healthcare, which means a large part of it is potentially modifiable.
What changes the outlook
Access to physical health checks, smoking cessation support, cardiovascular risk management, and continuity of care can narrow the gap substantially.
What helps
- Regular physical health monitoring
- Smoking cessation support
- Cardiovascular risk management
- Continuity of mental health care
- Physical activity
Estimate your own range
Answer around a dozen short questions and get a five-year age range based on your profile. It takes about two minutes.
Start the estimatorCommon questions
Does severe mental illness reduce life expectancy?
Research, including analyses in Lancet Psychiatry, associates severe mental illness with a notable reduction in average life expectancy, often cited in the region of ten to fifteen years. Much of this gap is driven by higher rates of cardiovascular disease, smoking, and barriers to physical healthcare, which means a large part of it is potentially modifiable.
What improves the outlook with severe mental illness?
Access to physical health checks, smoking cessation support, cardiovascular risk management, and continuity of care can narrow the gap substantially.
Can I get a personal estimate?
This tool gives a statistical estimate as a five-year range based on your overall profile, including severe mental illness alongside your other answers. It is not a prediction. For personal medical guidance, speak to a GP or specialist.