Schizophrenia
Schizophrenia is a chronic mental disorder characterized by disruptions in thought processes, perceptions, emotional responsiveness, and behavior. The illness typically involves a combination of positive symptoms (delusions, hallucinations, disorganized speech or behavior), negative symptoms (alogia, flattened affect, avolition, anhedonia), and cognitive impairments (attention, memory, executive function). Symptoms may fluctuate in intensity and are present for a significant portion of time during a 1-month active phase, with continuous signs for at least 6 months.
Onset generally occurs in late adolescence to early adulthood and affects men somewhat earlier than women.
The exact cause is unknown, but a combination of genetic, neurobiological, and environmental factors increases risk.
Diagnosis is clinical, based on criteria from major manuals such as DSM-5 or ICD-11, requiring at least
Treatment is typically multimodal. Antipsychotic medications (typical and atypical) reduce psychotic symptoms, though side effects vary.
Prognosis ranges from substantial recovery to persistent impairment, with many achieving symptom control and improved functioning