Cognitive profiles of patients with enlarged lateral ventricles and cognitive impairment among patients with schizophrenia.

The debut of a psychotic condition often has severe consequences for patients and their families. Nonaffective psychotic disorders have a lifetime prevalence of 1% to 2% (). Most patients experiencing a first episode of psychosis (FEP) are recommended treatment with antipsychotic medication, as these medications are effective in reducing symptoms in the acute phase and in reducing the risk of relapse in patients with chronic psychotic disorders (, ). Since antipsychotic treatment often spans longer time periods, from months to years, the wide range of side effects associated with antipsychotic medications () can present a significant issue for the patients’ health and recovery. Weight gain is a severe side effect of some second-generation antipsychotics (SGA), and service users rate weight gain as the most distressing side effect of antipsychotic treatment (). Weight gain is also recognized as an important reason for nonadherence to antipsychotic treatment ().