The unique nutrition challenges of severe mental illness by Scott Teasdale, APD
Scott Teasdale, APD works with people who have severe mental illness at the Keeping the Body in Mind lifestyle program in Sydney. He is also a PhD candidate at the University of New South Wales School of Psychiatry.
People with severe mental illness- conditions such as- schizophrenia and bipolar mood disorder have a 20 year reduced life expectancy compared to the rest of the population. What is shocking about this statistic is that preventable, non-communicable diseases actually cause the reduced life expectancy.
The pioneering lifestyle and life skills program Keeping the body in Mind has dramatically reduced the weight gain associated with commencement of anti-psychotic medication.
The results of this work have huge potential for how clients with severe mental illness are treated and the vital role dietitians play in the mental health care team. Scott gave us an insight into the unique nutrition challenges of severe mental illness and how these can be addressed.