Schizophrenia is a long-term mental health condition characterized by distorted perceptions of reality, frequently manifesting as delusions or hallucinations. ¹ Some believe these symptoms make people with schizophrenia dangerous, but this is a misconception.

Little is know about what causes the condition, though researchers believe that it has to do with biological, genetic, and environmental factors. While schizophrenia cannot be cured, there are treatment options to manage symptoms.

Throughout this article, we’re going ot take a deeper look at schizophrenia, its symptoms, causes, and treatment methods.

Schizophrenia Defined

Schizophrenia is a chronic psychiatric condition marked by distortions, delusions, and/or hallucinations. It’s estimated that 1% of the population struggles with the disorder. ²

There are several misconceptions about the condition. For example, it’s believed that people with schizophrenia have a “split personality,” similar to dissociative identity disorder. However, these are two separate conditions. ³

Schizophrenia can occur across all genders and ages. In most cases, men develop the condition in their late teens or early 20s. Whereas women will show signs in their late 20s and early 30s. ⁴

Schizophrenia Statistics

Some statistics concerning schizophrenia include:

• Most people will be diagnosed with schizophrenia between their late teens or early 30s.
• Schizophrenia is more common in men than women, with men developing it at two to three times the rate. ⁵
• The disorder affects more than 21 million people around the world. ⁶
• Schizophrenia is considered one of the 15 most debilitating conditions.
• Nearly half of those with schizophrenia have other mental health issues. ⁷

Signs and Symptoms of Schizophrenia

Symptoms of schizophrenia affect people in three different ways:

Positive Symptoms

A set of symptoms that causes psychotic behavior not seen in healthy people. These symptoms represent what makes a person with schizophrenia lose touch with reality. They include: ⁸

• Delusions
• Hallucinations
• Movement irregularities (agitation)
• Thought irregularities (dysfunctional thinking)

Negative Symptoms

A set of symptoms which cause people with schizophrenia to disassociate from normal emotions and conduct. Negative symptoms include: ⁹

• Decreased expression of emotions through the face or voice
• Difficulty starting and sustaining activities
• Lack of pleasure in day-to-day life
• Reduced speaking

Cognitive Symptoms

A set of symptoms which changes memory and other areas of thinking. Some people with schizophrenia feel these symptoms stronger than others. They include: ¹⁰

• Difficulty focusing or paying attention
• Improper “executive functioning” (ability to comprehend information and use it for decision making)
• Trouble with “working memory” (ability to use information right after learning of it)

What Causes Schizophrenia?

Mental health professionals are still studying the causes of schizophrenia. However, their research has led to the belief that schizophrenia is caused by:

Brain Chemistry

From research, scientists have found an imbalance within the brains of people with schizophrenia. Particularly, in neurotransmitters – the cellular communication network responsible for releasing chemicals such as dopamine and glutamate. Though scientists aren’t entirely sure how the brain chemistry reaches this state, we’re aware that brain development before birth plays a major role. ¹¹

Environment

Your environment can decide whether or not you develop schizophrenia. What remains unclear is what types of environment trigger the condition. We do know psychosocial environments can play a significant role. It’s been discovered that certain viruses can lead also lead to schizophrenia. Furthermore, there could be a multitude of problems at birth, including malnutrition. ¹²

Genetics

If schizophrenia runs in the family, a child is more likely to be born with the condition. Still, that’s not to say all people with schizophrenia have always have a family member who struggles with it. The role of genetics is complicated as there are a number of genes that can increase your risk of developing this condition. ¹³

Schizophrenia Complications

Schizophrenia is a severe mental health condition. When left untreated, it can spiral into a large assortment of other serious complications. These include: ¹⁴

• Anxiety
• Depression
• Drug and alcohol use
• Family problems
• Phobias
• Self-injury and suicidal ideation

Furthermore, schizophrenia makes it difficult to maintain work and go to school. This can cause financial problems and has left people with schizophrenia at a higher risk of poverty and homelessness. ¹⁵

Schizophrenia Diagnosis

There are some people who might experience symptoms of schizophrenia but don’t actually have the disorder. In order to receive a diagnosis, you will need to show at least two of the following symptoms over a six-month period. These symptoms include: ¹⁶

• Catatonic or coma-like daze
• Delusions
• Disorganized speech and behavior
• Hallucinations
• Strange and/or hyperactive conduct

If you still believe you struggle with schizophrenia, it’s important to seek a doctor or psychiatrist. You’ll want to notify this person of everything you’ve noticed that can relate to schizophrenia. From there, make sure to ask questions which give you advice on how to better yourself in the coming weeks.

Still, in order to receive an official diagnosis, you will need to be evaluated through a medical exam. This requires you sharing information about your family history, how you’ve behaved recently, and if you’ve ever before been hospitalized for a medical condition.

After the doctor is able to track your symptoms, they will decide whether or not you have schizophrenia. There’s a chance you may struggle with another mental health condition, such as bipolar disorder. ¹⁷

It’s important to note, a doctor may ask for tests and scans in order to confirm you struggle with schizophrenia. These can include:

• Blood or urine tests (primarily to check for substance abuse)
• Cognitive tests
• Computed tomography (CT scan)
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
• Open-ended tests (such as an inkblot test)
• Personality tests

Related Disorders

People with mood disorders may show similar signs to schizophrenia. Doctors can judge this based on how long symptoms persist. The most common mood disorders mistaken for schizophrenia are:

• Schizoaffective Disorder – A combination of psychotic symptoms (similar to schizophrenia) along with depression (also known as major depressive disorder) or bipolar disorder. People with schizoaffective disorder tend to feel extremely down in comparison to people with schizophrenia. However, they may also feel episodes of hyperactivity along (either high-energy or high irritability) along with very low episodes. Compared to schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder is very rare. ¹⁸

• Schizophreniform – If symptoms associated with schizophrenia appear and have lasted for more than one month, but less than six, you’ll be diagnosed with schizophreniform. Most people with the condition proceed to have schizophrenia. Symptoms only go away for about one-third of people. You can look at schizophreniform as early schizophrenia. ¹⁹

Schizophrenia Treatment

Since we don’t know the exact causes of schizophrenia, all treatment options seek to eliminate symptoms rather cure the condition. There are two ways in which schizophrenia is treated; medication and various forms of therapy. ²⁰

Antipsychotic Medication

There are several antipsychotic medications taken in a variety of ways, including a pill or liquid form. These are taken daily and injections are given once or twice a month. ²¹

There are multiple antipsychotic medications and it may take some experimenting to find out which are the best for you. It’s important to talk with your doctor to figure out the best medication (or medication combination) for your needs.

Typical antipsychotic medications include:

• Chlorpromazine (Thorazine)
• Fluphenazine (Prolixin)
• Haloperidol (Haldol)
• Perphenazine (Trilafon)
• Thioridazine (Mellaril)
• Thiothixene (Navane)
• Trifluoperazine (Stelazine)

There are also some newer types of medication, referred to as “second generation” or “atypical” antipsychotics. These include: ²²

• Aripiprazole (Abilify)
• Aripiprazole Iauroxil (Aristada)
• Asenapine (Saphris)
• Clozapine (Clozaril)
• Iloperidone (Fanapt)
• Lurasidone (Latuda)
• Olanzapine (Zyprexa)
• Paliperidone (Invega Sustenna)
• Paliperidone palmitate (Invega Trinza)
• Quetiapine (Seroquel)
• Risperidone (Risperdal)
• Ziprasidone (Geodon)

These medications come with a list of side effects that vary from person to person, body type, and gender. Side effects include: ²³

• Blurred vision
• Constipation
• Dizziness
• Drowsiness
• Dry mouth
• Growth of breast tissues in both men and women
• Higher levels of the hormone prolactin
• Irregular menstrual cycle
• Irregular mood and sex drive
• Low blood pressure and white blood cell count
• Nausea
• Seizures
• Sexual problems
• Tardive dyskinesia
• Trouble keeping blood sugar and cholesterol levels
• Weight gain

If you are led to believe you’re feeling any side effects from psychotic medications, make sure to talk to your doctor.

Psychosocial Treatments

Once you’ve discovered the right medication (or medication combination), your doctor will suggest psychosocial treatments. The purpose of these therapies is to teach you how to cope with symptoms. Through this knowledge, you’ll better manage the challenges produced by schizophrenia. The purpose is for you to fulfill your lifetime goals, including work and attending school. ²⁴

Common psychosocial treatments include:

Assertive Community Treatment (ACT)

Through teamwork, ACT allows people who struggle with schizophrenia to integrate into the community. Within an ACT team, you may find a psychologist, social worker, psychiatric nurse, and other counselors. Their goal is to keep you from being homelessness, relapsing symptoms, and hospital admissions. They will also work to reduce your medication. ²⁵

General Health Interventions

People with schizophrenia are more at risk of other health problems, such as obesity and heart disease. Furthermore, they’re more likely to become smokers. Due to this, weight-loss and smoking-cessation programs have been set up as a part of psychosocial treatment. ²⁶

Psychoeducation

These programs are set up to teach people more about schizophrenia in order to receive a better comprehension of the condition. ²⁷

Psychotherapy

Commonly known as “talk therapy,” you will discuss your thoughts, feelings, and behavior with a therapist. The most common psychotherapy is cognitive behavioral therapy. ²⁸

Social Skills Training

Many people with schizophrenia feel as though they can’t develop interpersonal relationships. This form of psychosocial therapy teaches these skills through roleplaying. For example, you may find yourself with a teacher practicing small talk and keeping eye contact. ²⁹

Social Support Groups

While you develop your social skills, you’ll want to practice them. Within a group of people who also struggle with schizophrenia, you’ll have the ability to do so while receiving help and advice. ³⁰

Substance Abuse Intervention

People with schizophrenia may abuse drugs and alcohol. Since substance abuse can interfere with treatment, it’s in the best interest to provide an intervention for someone also struggling with schizophrenia. From there, it’s important to go to a drug and alcohol treatment facility. ³¹

Supported Employment

Most people with schizophrenia have the ability to obtain employment. However, since people of the disorder have trouble with social skills, it can be very difficult. ³²

Coordinated Specialty Care (CSC)

Schizophrenia always begins somewhere and works its way to long-term disability. Due to this, the NIMH Recovery After an Initial Schizophrenia Episode (RAISE) has started a research project which looks to provide coordinated specialty care in the earliest stages of the condition. They do so by integrating the following areas of schizophrenia treatment:

• Antipsychotic medication
• Case management
• Employment services
• Family involvement
• Psychosocial therapies
• Supported education

By providing these services in the early ages of schizophrenia, the hope is to reduce the likelihood of symptoms worsening in the long-run.

What Can I Do to Help a Loved One?

There’s a lot of difficulties when it comes to helping someone with schizophrenia. Due to the psychosocial tendencies mentioned above, simply talking to someone with the condition has its complications. You may find yourself with responses of abnormal or false statements. ³³

As you attempt to help your loved one beat schizophrenia, it’s vital to gain as much knowledge on the condition as possible. With this knowledge, you will be best prepared for any potential outcome.

When helping a loved one with schizophrenia, there are several things you should do:

• Acknowledge their differences from normal thinking and behavior.
• Don’t tolerate dangerous and/or inappropriate behavior.
• Keep in mind, their beliefs and/or hallucinations appear extremely real to them.
• Look out for support groups within your area.
• Make sure they receive treatment and encourage them to continue seeking it.
• Maintain a respectful, supportive, and kind attitude.

Join a Study

There’s a lot of research within the medical community to better understand, detect, prevent, and treat schizophrenia. Through clinical studies, new medication, surgical procedures, and therapies are under development to help future generations.

If you will like to play a role in the progress of mental health, you can join a study. Research of the NIH is performed in Bethesda, Maryland at the NIH Clinical Center. After applying, you’ll receive a phone interview. If accepted, you will have to make an appointment and meet up with one of their clinicians.

For more information on this research, visit Join a Study: Adults – Schizophrenia.

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