Schizophrenia
What is
schizophrenia?
Schizophrenia is a serious
mental illness that affects how a
person thinks, feels, and
behaves. People with
schizophrenia may seem like
they have lost touch with reality,
which can be distressing for
them and for their family and
friends. The symptoms of
schizophrenia can make it
difficult to participate in usual,
everyday activities, but effective
treatments are available. Many
people who receive treatment
can engage in school or work,
achieve independence, and
enjoy personal relationships.
What are the signs
and
symptoms of
schizophrenia?
It’s important to recognize the
symptoms of schizophrenia and
seek help as early as possible.
People with schizophrenia are
usually diagnosed between the
ages of 16 and 30, after the first
episode of psychosis. Starting
treatment as soon as possible
following the first episode of
psychosis is an important step
toward recovery. However,
research shows that gradual
changes in thinking, mood, and
social functioning often appear
before the first episode of
psychosis. Schizophrenia is rare
in younger children.
Schizophrenia symptoms can
differ from person to person, but
they generally fall into three main
categories: psychotic, negative,
and cognitive.
Psychotic symptoms include
changes in the way a person
thinks, acts, and experiences the
world. A person experiencing
psychotic symptoms often has
disrupted thoughts and
perceptions, and they may have
difficulty recognizing what is real
and what is not. Psychotic
symptoms include:
Hallucinations: When a person
sees, hears, smells, tastes, or
feels things that are not actually
there. Hearing voices is common
for people with schizophrenia.
People who hear voices may
hear them for a long time before
family or friends notice a
problem.
Delusions: When a person has
strong beliefs that are not true
and may seem irrational to
others. For example,
individuals experiencing
delusions may believe that
people on the radio and
television are sending special
messages that require a certain
response, or they may believe
that they are in danger or that
others are trying to hurt them.
Thought disorder: When a
person has ways of thinking that
are unusual or illogical. People
with thought disorder may have
trouble organizing their thoughts
and speech. Sometimes a
person will stop talking in the
middle of a thought, jump from
topic to topic, or make up words
that have no meaning.
Negative symptoms include
loss of motivation, loss of interest
or enjoyment in daily activities,
withdrawal from social life,
difficulty showing emotions, and
difficulty
functioning normally.
Negative symptoms include:
Having trouble planning and
sticking with activities, such as
grocery shopping
Having trouble anticipating and
being motivated by pleasure in
everyday life
Talking in a dull voice and
showing limited facial expression
Avoiding social interaction or
interacting in socially awkward
ways
Having very low energy and
spending a lot of time in passive
activities. In extreme cases, a
person might stop moving or
talking for a while, which is a
rare condition called catatonia.
These symptoms are sometimes
mistaken for symptoms of
depression or other mental
illnesses.
Cognitive symptoms include
problems in attention,
concentration, and memory.
These symptoms can make it
hard to follow a conversation,
learn new things, or remember
appointments. A person’s level of
cognitive functioning is one of the
best predictors of their day-to-
day functioning. Health care
providers evaluate cognitive
functioning using specific tests.
Cognitive symptoms include:
Having trouble processing
information to make decisions
Having trouble using information
immediately after learning it
Having trouble focusing or
paying attention
The Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention (CDC) has
recognized that having certain
mental disorders, including
depression and schizophrenia,
can make people more likely to
get severely ill from COVID-19.
Learn more about getting help
and finding a health care
provider.
Risk of violence
Most people with schizophrenia
are not violent. Overall, people
with schizophrenia are more
likely than those without the
illness to be harmed by others.
For people with schizophrenia,
the risk of self-harm
and of violence to others is
greatest when the illness is
untreated or co-occurs with
alcohol or substance misuse. It is
important to help people who are
showing symptoms to get
treatment as quickly as possible.
Schizophrenia vs.
dissociative identity
disorder
Although some of the signs may
seem similar on the surface,
schizophrenia is not dissociative
identity disorder (which used to
be called multiple personality
disorder or split personality).
People with dissociative identity
disorder have two or more
distinct identities with distinct
behaviors and memories.
What are the risk
factors for
schizophrenia?
Several factors may contribute to
a person’s risk of developing
schizophrenia.
Genetics: Schizophrenia
sometimes runs in families.
However, just because one
family member has
schizophrenia, it does not mean
that other members of the family
also will have it. Studies suggest
that many different genes may
increase a person’s chances of
developing schizophrenia, but
that no single gene causes the
disorder by itself.
Environment: Research
suggests that a combination of
genetic factors and aspects of a
person’s environment and life
experiences may play a role in
the development of
schizophrenia. These
environmental factors that may
include living in poverty, stressful
or dangerous surroundings, and
exposure to viruses or nutritional
problems before birth.
Brain structure and
function: Research shows that
people with schizophrenia may
be more likely to have
differences in the size of certain
brain areas and in connections
between brain areas. Some of
these brain differences may
develop before birth.
Researchers are working to
better understand how brain
structure and function may relate
to schizophrenia.
How is schizophrenia
treated?
Current treatments for
schizophrenia focus on helping
people manage their symptoms,
improve day-to-day functioning,
and achieve personal life goals,
such as completing education,
pursuing a career, and having
fulfilling relationships.
Antipsychotic
medications
Antipsychotic medications can
help make psychotic symptoms
less intense and less frequent.
These medications are usually
taken every day in a pill or liquid
forms. Some antipsychotic
medications are given as
injections once or twice a month.
Psychosocial
treatments
Psychosocial treatments help
people find solutions to everyday
challenges and manage
symptoms while attending
school, working, and forming
relationships. These treatments
are often used together with
antipsychotic medication. People
who participate in regular
psychosocial treatment are less
likely to have symptoms reoccur
or to be hospitalized.
Education and support
Educational programs can help
family and friends learn about
symptoms of schizophrenia,
treatment options, and strategies
for helping loved ones with the
illness. These programs can help
friends and family manage their
distress, boost their own coping
skills, and strengthen their ability
to provide support. The National
Alliance on Mental Illness
website has more information
about support groups and
education