Abstract
The metabolic complications of antipsychotic treatment (eg. obesity, glucose and lipid abnormalities and hypertension) are highly prevalent in people with severe mental illness, with these patients having twice the rate of obesity and metabolic syndrome as the general adult population. To date, the significance of these complications has been under-recognised by mental health professionals. In patients with an established ‘metabolic syndrome’ these symptoms contribute to a significantly reduced life expectancy due to high rates of cardiovascular disease and type II diabetes, as well as to a reduced quality of life, medication non-compliance and worsening mental health status.
Little research exists on the primary prevention and secondary management of metabolic complications in the general Severe Mental Illness population and almost none for the Early Psychosis population. What evidence exists indicates that this population may be particularly vulnerable to weight gain and to its negative effects. On the other hand, as they tend to have normal weight at treatment entry and are often still interested in engaging in peer appropriate healthy lifestyle activities, young people with psychosis are ideally placed for primary prevention.
In this presentation, the current evidence base for lifestyle and other interventions for the prevention and management of metabolic complications in the Early Psychosis population will be reviewed. The development and implementation of a novel and comprehensive youth friendly Early Psychosis Lifestyle Program and Metabolic Syndrome Prevention Clinic will be described and initial results presented.