Recent research highlights that adults diagnosed with schizophrenia spectrum disorders often experience high levels of co-existing mental health and substance use disorders, along with noticeable social and economic challenges. Alarmingly, only 26% of these individuals received what could be considered minimally adequate treatment. To effectively cater to the needs of those struggling with these disorders, the authors stress that inventive strategies and proper execution are necessary to enhance access to and utilization of evidence-based treatments. The findings were released today in Psychiatric Services in Advance.
Led by Natalie Bareis, Ph.D., from Columbia University Irving Medical Center and New York State Psychiatric Institute, the research team analyzed national data gathered between October 2020 and October 2022, involving 4,764 adults aged 18 to 65 from the U.S. Mental and Substance Use Disorders Prevalence Study (MDPS), sponsored by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Agency. They utilized sampling weights to examine the sociodemographic characteristics and co-occurring behavioral health issues of individuals with schizophrenia spectrum disorders (including schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, and schizophreniform disorder) compared to those without.
Among the 114 adults identified with schizophrenia spectrum disorders, the most frequently occurring co-existing conditions were major depressive episodes (52%), alcohol use (23%), cannabis use (20%), and post-traumatic stress disorders (17%). Individuals with schizophrenia spectrum disorders exhibited significantly higher instances of suicidal thoughts and suicide attempts over the past year compared to those not affected.
Although nearly all participants with schizophrenia spectrum disorders had health care coverage, around 70% had engaged in some type of mental health treatment in the previous year, and approximately 30% were currently prescribed antipsychotic medications. While some individuals with these disorders may find a path to recovery, the majority of respondents were unemployed, and many experienced significant functional impairments.
Effective and available treatment options include antipsychotic medications, individual support programs for employment, assertive community treatment, and coordinated specialty care tailored for first-episode psychosis.
“The MDPS serves as an update to long-standing surveys of psychiatric disorders in the U.S., focusing specifically on identifying schizophrenia spectrum disorders through the administration of the Structured Clinical Interview for the DSM-5 to all participants,” Bareis remarked. “We had anticipated that with the introduction of new treatments and services, the situation for individuals with schizophrenia spectrum disorders would have improved. Unfortunately, the persistent issues of high poverty rates, unemployment, and inadequate functioning indicate that current treatment and social welfare strategies are insufficient for many individuals in this population. It is crucial that policy improvements are made to facilitate access to and utilization of existing evidence-based interventions.”
