Detection and Management of Comorbidity in Patients With Schizophrenia

This article addresses many important comorbid conditions in patients with schizophrenia: depression, obsessive-compulsive symptoms, substance use disorder, suicide, hyperprolactinemia, weight gain, & diabetes. The detection of suicidal ideation in patients with schizophrenia can be difficult as suicidal behaviours can be impulsive. These patients may not disclose their intentions & they tend to chose highly lethal methods. Many, if not most, are seen by a health care professional within 3 months of dying by suicide. Treatment & after-care strategies are briefly discussed. (216 refs.)