Compared with typical antipsychotics, several of the second-generation antipsychotics are more likely to cause weight gain and metabolic syndrome,” two big risk factors for death across all causes and particularly from heart disease. In fact, the National Hospital Discharge Survey found that the prevalence of diabetes in people with schizophrenia versus those without mental illness soared, after a lag period, following the debut of atypical antipsychotics. Because these risk factors may take decades to steal a life, the authors warn that the future may bring an even grimmer reality.