What Is Schizophrenia?
Schizophrenia is a chronic psychiatric condition characterised by disturbances in perception, thought, emotion and behaviour. It often emerges in late adolescence or early adulthood and affects around 0.3–0.7% of people over their lifetime :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}.
🧩 Core Symptoms
According to the DSM‑5, a diagnosis requires at least two of the following for one month—of which at least one must be a "positive" symptom—and symptoms must persist over six months :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}:
- Delusions: Fixed false beliefs (e.g. persecution, grandiosity)
- Hallucinations: Often auditory, such as hearing voices
- Disorganised speech: Frequent derailment or incoherence
- Disorganised or catatonic behaviour: Unpredictable or rigid actions
- Negative symptoms: Emotional flattening, reduced speech or motivation :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}
📆 Who Is Affected?
- Age of onset: Typically late teens to early 30s—earlier in males, slightly later in females :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}
- Prevalence: Affects approximately 0.3–1% worldwide :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}
🧬 Causes & Risk Factors
Schizophrenia arises from a complex interplay of:
- Genetic predisposition: 70–80% heritability, higher risk with affected relatives :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}
- Environmental triggers: Urban upbringing, prenatal infections, substance use in adolescence, trauma :contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7}
- Neurodevelopmental factors: Dopamine/glutamate system alterations during brain maturation :contentReference[oaicite:8]{index=8}
🎭 Beyond the Diagnostic Symptoms
Individuals may also experience:
- Cognitive difficulties: Problems with memory, attention and planning
- Social withdrawal and diminished emotional expression
- Higher physical health risks: Cardiovascular disease, diabetes and reduced life expectancy (by 10–28 years) :contentReference[oaicite:9]{index=9}
🔍 Diagnosis & Differential Diagnosis
The DSM‑5 criteria require significant impairment over six months, including one month of active symptoms :contentReference[oaicite:10]{index=10}. Subtypes (e.g. paranoid, catatonic) were removed in favour of severity‑based ratings :contentReference[oaicite:11]{index=11}.
Other conditions—such as mood disorders, schizoaffective disorder, substance‑induced psychosis or autism—must be ruled out :contentReference[oaicite:12]{index=12}.
⚕️ Treatment & Management
- Antipsychotic medication: First‑ or second‑generation drugs; clozapine for treatment‑resistant cases :contentReference[oaicite:13]{index=13}
- Long‑acting injectables: Enhance adherence in those unwilling or unable to take pills :contentReference[oaicite:14]{index=14}
- Psychosocial therapy: Cognitive behavioural therapy, family support, social rehabilitation
- Lifestyle interventions: Exercise, balanced diet, smoking cessation, and supplementation (e.g. folate, vitamin D) :contentReference[oaicite:15]{index=15}
🌤️ Prognosis & Long‑Term Outlook
- About half of affected people experience significant improvement; some achieve full recovery :contentReference[oaicite:16]{index=16}
- Relapse is common without ongoing treatment, especially after a second episode
- Suicide risk is elevated (~5% overall); many attempt it at least once :contentReference[oaicite:17]{index=17}
📚 Learn More
FAQs
Q1: Is schizophrenia the same as having a split personality?
No. It involves psychosis like hallucinations and delusions—not multiple personalities.
Q2: Can people with schizophrenia lead normal lives?
Yes. With proper treatment, many live fulfilling lives, work and maintain relationships.
Q3: Are there early warning signs?
Yes: declining performance, social withdrawal, odd beliefs or sensory distortions may precede full‑blown symptoms.
Q4: How can I support someone affected?
Encourage adherence to treatment, listen without judgement, assist with daily tasks, and reduce isolation.
Final Thought
Though schizophrenia presents challenges, advances in medication, therapy and social support offer hope. Early detection and sustained care are essential to improving lives.