People with psychiatric disorders live an average of fifteen years shorter than the general population. This is often due to poorer physical health, partly caused by unhealthy lifestyle habits and medication side effects. In her PhD thesis, which she will defend on March 13, psychiatry resident Lisanne Koomen of UMC Utrecht emphasizes the importance of integrating healthy habits into psychiatric care.
Lisanne’s research shows that lifestyle improvements—such as exercising via live video calls and adopting healthier eating habits—have a positive impact on both the mental and physical health of this group. Yet, healthcare professionals still apply these interventions too infrequently in practice: they often lack the time, knowledge, or referral options to support lifestyle changes. Additionally, healthcare professionals themselves play a major role. Lisanne’s findings indicate that professionals with a healthier lifestyle are more likely to discuss lifestyle adjustments with patients and refer them to, for example, a dietitian or physical therapist. Her conclusions highlight the importance of awareness and education in mental healthcare.
Lisanne also points to the problematic use of medication for psychiatric disorders. Nearly half of the patients in her study were prescribed potentially unnecessary or inappropriate medication, such as long-term use of sedatives without medical necessity. This can reduce the effectiveness of lifestyle changes. Regular medication reviews and better guidance in tapering off medication are therefore essential.
In her thesis, Lisanne advocates for a systematic approach in which healthy habits are integrated into treatment from the very beginning. She believes psychiatrists and other healthcare professionals should take a more active role in promoting healthy behaviors. “We need to move away from the idea that psychiatric care focuses only on the mind. A healthy lifestyle is an important part of recovery and quality of life.”
With her research, Lisanne contributes to the growing recognition that lifestyle adjustments not only benefit individual patients but also help improve and future-proof psychiatric care. Her findings show that a broader societal effort is needed to sustainably improve the health of people with severe psychiatric disorders.
