Schizophrenia is a type of serious mental health disorder called a psychotic disorder. Schizophrenia causes alterations in the brain and the way it perceives reality resulting in the hallmark symptoms of hallucinations and delusions. Schizophrenia can seriously affect a person's personality and behavior and interfere with the ability to function effectively in everyday life.
The exact cause of schizophrenia is unknown but there is a genetic component and it does tend to run in families. People who have a family member with schizophrenia are more likely to develop the disorder than the general population. It is also believed by some researchers that schizophrenia may also be due to over activity the neurotransmitter dopamine, a chemical in the brain that is vital to normal functioning of the brain and nervous system. Schizophrenia may also be linked to damage to the brain done during fetal development and early childhood due to head injury, birth complications, malnutrition, viral infections, or encephalitis, an infection of the brain.
Schizophrenia is characterized by hallucinations, alterations in sensory perceptions, and delusions, which are false beliefs. Symptoms tend to occur in episodes and can begin with inappropriate or disconnected patterns of speech, social detachment and blank stares. Schizophrenia can also seriously affect emotion and movement. Complications of schizophrenia include self-harm, self-destructive behaviors, and serious difficulties in work, personal relationships, and self-care. For more information on symptoms and complications, refer to symptoms of schizophrenia.
There is no specific test that can diagnose schizophrenia. Making a diagnosis of schizophrenia begins with taking a thorough medical history, including symptoms, and completing a complete physical examination and mental health exam. Assessment and tests are also performed to ensure that symptoms are not due to other treatable medical conditions, such as a brain tumor, migraine, and hypoglycemia. Symptoms may also be due to the side effect of prescribed medications or the effect of recreational drugs, such as LSD or methamphetamine.
A referral to a psychiatrist or other licensed mental health provider is made to aid in the diagnosis and treatment of schizophrenia. Hospitalization and observation is often needed during an acute episode of suspected schizophrenia in order to ensure safety and complete a diagnosis.
It is possible that a diagnosis of schizophrenia can be missed or delayed because a person with the disorder may not seek care because of the stigma associated with mental illness. In addition, symptoms of schizophrenia can be vague or associated with other conditions. For more information on misdiagnosis and conditions and diseases that can mimic schizophrenia, refer to misdiagnosis of schizophrenia.
There is no specific cure for schizophrenia, but it can be successfully treated and controlled in many cases. Treatment generally includes a combination of medications and psychotherapy. For more information on treatment, refer to treatment of schizophrenia. ...more »
Schizophrenia: A psychiatric disorder characterized by hallucinations and delusional beliefs where a person is unable to distinguish between reality and imagination. The condition tends to have a chronic nature and can be severely debilitating if treatment isn't sought. More detailed information about the symptoms, causes, and treatments of Schizophrenia is available below.
The severity and types of symptoms of schizophrenia vary from person to person. The hallmark symptom of schizophrenia is a disconnection with reality due to hallucinations, alterations in sensory perceptions, and delusions, false beliefs. In most cases a person with schizophrenia not only experiences hallucinations and/or delusions but is convinced that they are real. This changes the way ...more symptoms »
The overall treatment goal for schizophrenia is to minimize symptoms so that people with the disorder can live as functional, independent, and productive lives as possible. There is no cure for schizophrenia, but consistent ongoing compliance with a multifaceted treatment program can often effectively control symptoms and prevent relapses of acute episodes of symptoms. To be ...more treatments »
A diagnosis of schizophrenia may be missed or delayed because people with schizophrenia may fear the stigma of or be embarrassed by mental illness and not seek treatment. In addition, people with schizophrenia often are unaware that their hallucinations and delusions are not real. They may not recognize that they are having symptoms or that their behavior ...more misdiagnosis »
See full list of 48 symptoms of Schizophrenia
See full list of 12 treatments for Schizophrenia
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Possibly curable types of Schizophrenia include:
Rare types of Schizophrenia include:
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More information about causes of Schizophrenia:
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Read more about Misdiagnosis and Schizophrenia
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Prognosis for Schizophrenia: Treatment can alleviate symptoms but patients often tend to suffer symptoms throughout the rest of their lives. Treatment plans must be adhered to in order to avoid complications such as suicide or acts of violence. The best prognosis is achieved by early management of the condition with strict adherence to the treatment plan. Factors which increase the risk of a good prognosis:
More about prognosis of Schizophrenia
Visit our research pages for current research about Schizophrenia treatments.
The US based website ClinicalTrials.gov lists information on both federally and privately supported clinical trials using human volunteers.
Some of the clinical trials listed on ClinicalTrials.gov for Schizophrenia include:
See full list of 544 Clinical Trials for Schizophrenia
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Class of psychoses with disturbance mainly of cognition (content and form of thought, perception, sense of self versus external world, volition) and psychomotor function, rather than affect. - (Source - Diseases Database)
Any of several psychotic disorders characterized by distortions of reality and disturbances of thought and language and withdrawal from social contact - (Source - WordNet 2.1)
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