Expert: Libby Bonner - 11/7/2005

Question
Hello Ms. Bonner,
I am 35 and recently received news that a friend I lost touch with passed away 'suddenly' at 37. I no longer know his family well enough to ask the circumstances, but I know he had a family history of schizophrenia. When I last saw him he was 26 and was exhibiting minor paranoia. His obituary requested donations be sent to Schizophrenia research and at his funeral his family referred to 'his disease.' Although it seems obvious, I'm so unfamiliar with the disease that I just don't understand how a person can die from a mental disorder. Aside from suicide, which is heartbreaking to consider, what are the actual physical causes of death for someone diagnosed with schizophrenia? And lastly, in his advanced stages, do you think after 10-15 years he would have recognized / remembered me? Thank you so much.

Answer
A sad allexperts question - you have my sympathy.
It is likeliest that suidice was the cause of the friend's death, sad to say.  Many reasons:  hopelessness; poor symptom control and weariness at hearing the hideous voices for too long; isolation; perhaps chronic poverty - maybe even poverty that precluded proper meds and care, tho w/ a family still close to him, we hope not.

There are some physical illnesses more prevalent w/ this diagnosis, but I am not well-informed.  Perhaps see www.schizophrenia.com   [Though I think none take their toll so early -- ?]

At any rate, one way or another, schizophrenia certainly shortened his life.

Pls don't blame yourself for losing contact.  It is likely and probable that your friend not only would have recognized you, but would have been able to converse and/or reminisce w/ you - tho in maybe a typically rather disjointed way.  Hard to know, w/o knowing the situation.

I can't tell whether you attended the funeral.  If you did not, and have hesitated to write the family, pls do.  They need to hear that you share their sorrow at a life made too short by illness and and that you are thinking of them.  You could state in some way, if you wish, that you regret tat you had been out of touch.  And any nice memories of him or his family could be included as well.

Thank you for writing.  If you have remaining unanswered questions about illnesses and schiz, write again and I will dig for info.  But think the site may have answers.