ABSTRACT
Schizophrenia is notorious for being the most frightening, disabling, and misunderstood of mental illnesses, historically sentencing the sufferer to an existence of terrifying experiences such as hearing voices, and thwarting hopes and dreams for the future. Family and caregivers of the individual with schizophrenia also experience stigma associated with this cruel illness, coupled with the burdens of uncertainty about the future, lack of social support, and coping with symptom relapses as best they can. Persons with schizophrenia are also at increased risk of morbidity and early mortality, the mortality rate being three times that of the general population (Saha, Chant & McGrath, 2007; Brown, Inskip & Barraclough, 2000). While it is unclear if the genetic mutations that predispose the individual to schizophrenia also contribute to the early development of cardiovascular and metabolic syndromes, numerous studies have established that schizophrenia can trigger a cascade of socioeconomic and lifestyle factors that culminate in adverse physical health outcomes (Lumby, 2007; Saha, Chant & McGrath, 2007; Capasso, Lineberry, Bostwick, Decker & St. Sauver, 2007).
