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schizo

Schizo is a colloquial shorthand most often used to refer to schizophrenia, a chronic psychiatric disorder. As a term, it can be stigmatizing or misleading, so in clinical and respectful writing the full term schizophrenia is preferred. Schizophrenia involves disturbances in thought, perception, and behavior, with periods of psychosis that can recur over a person’s life.

Symptoms are typically categorized as positive, negative, and cognitive. Positive symptoms include hallucinations (most commonly auditory)

Causes are multifactorial, involving genetic vulnerability and alterations in brain chemistry and development. Dopamine pathways are

Diagnosis relies on structured clinical assessment and established criteria. In DSM-5 and ICD-11 terms, a diagnosis

Treatment is typically ongoing and multi-faceted. Antipsychotic medications (typical or atypical) are central, with psychosocial interventions

Epidemiology estimates lifetime prevalence around 0.3–0.7%. The condition carries stigma, which can hinder care. It is

and
delusions;
negative
symptoms
involve
diminished
motivation,
social
withdrawal,
and
flattened
affect;
cognitive
symptoms
can
affect
memory
and
executive
function.
Onset
is
usually
in
late
adolescence
to
early
adulthood,
and
the
course
can
vary
from
episodic
to
chronic
with
periods
of
remission.
implicated,
but
many
genetic
and
environmental
factors
contribute.
Prenatal
exposures,
early-life
stress,
and
substance
use
can
influence
risk.
Schizophrenia
is
not
caused
by
poor
parenting
or
personal
weakness.
requires
characteristic
symptoms
for
a
significant
portion
of
time
during
a
defined
period,
with
social
or
occupational
impairment,
and
exclusion
of
other
conditions
or
substances
that
could
explain
the
symptoms.
such
as
cognitive-behavioral
therapy,
family
therapy,
supported
employment,
and
housing
support.
Adherence
and
early
treatment
improve
outcomes,
though
relapses
can
occur,
and
some
residual
symptoms
may
persist.
distinct
from
other
psychotic
disorders
and
from
dissociative
identities;
the
term
schizo
should
be
avoided
in
clinical
contexts
in
favor
of
accurate
terminology.