Quality of life issues associated with antipsychotic-induced weight gain

For patients with mental illness, the purpose of antipsychotic medication is to improve their quality of life, and for many, quality of life improves dramatically with treatment. However, weight gain in the range of 7 to 10% is commonly associated with the use of antipsychotic medications and can have a negative impact on patient quality of life. Being overweight or obese can lead to serious medical conditions, including insulin resistance, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, dyslipidemia, arthritis and coronary heart disease. The physical and psychological consequences of weight gain are an added burden for patients with schizophrenia or other mental disorders. Successful strategies to prevent and manage weight gain include diet and exercise interventions and, in some cases, switching to a different antipsychotic agent.