[Lifestyle in young adults with and without a psychotic disorder]

Background Patients with psychotic disorders have a higher risk of physical illnesses on account of genetic predisposition, poorer access to healthcare, medication use, environmental factors and lifestyle. Because healthy lifestyle behaviour is established at young age, it is important to signal problems in good time. A lifestyle screening might be useful in this respect. Aim To describe the lifestyle characteristics of patients in a mental health clinic for young adults (age: 18-28 years) with early psychotic disorder based on parts of the instrument ‘Lifestyle-in-the-picture’ compared to healthy controls. We also discuss experiences of lifestyle coaches in applying ‘Lifestyle-in-the-picture’. Method Lifestyle characteristics and lifestyle behaviour of 90 patients with a psychotic disorder and 137 young adults from the general population were compared quantitatively. Additionally, interviews were held with lifestyle coaches as to the use of the instrument ‘Lifestyle-in-the-picture’. Results The young adult patients had considerably poorer results on lifestyle aspects than controls: increased body mass index (BMI 53% versus 18%), smoking, addiction and unhealthy eating and activity patterns. They were more dissatisfied with their physical and mental health. According to the lifestyle coaches, the ‘Lifestyle-in-the-picture’ instrument was a good starting point to work on improvement with patients since the instrument provided insight in the healthy and unhealthy aspects of their lifestyle and gave directions to set goals. Conclusions Young adults with a psychotic disorder have an unhealthy lifestyle and also more risk factors compared to controls. Lifestyle screening programmes are important to discuss health risks in time and which steps for improvement can be taken. The step from insight to actual more healthy behaviour is challenging.