Schizophrenia

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 by
Daniel B. Block, MD
Block
Medically reviewed by Daniel B. Block, MD

Daniel B. Block, MD, is an award-winning, board-certified psychiatrist who operates a private practice in Pennsylvania.

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Updated on July 19, 2024

Schizophrenia is a mental illness that affects how the brain works. This leads to chronic problems with disordered thoughts and behaviors and symptoms such as hallucinations, delusions, and lack of emotional expression.  

Schizophrenia affects approximately 0.3% to 0.7% of people. It impacts people from all racial backgrounds and ethnicities and is slightly more common in men than in women. The exact causes are unknown, but it has both genetic and environmental risk factors.

It usually requires lifelong care and treatment to help people manage their symptoms and live full, active lives. Treatment usually involves medications, psychotherapy, and social support. Coping strategies such as joining a peer support group and participating in social skills training can also be helpful.

Understanding Schizophrenia

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Frequently Asked Questions

  • What causes schizophrenia?

    The exact causes of schizophrenia are not entirely understood, but a complex variety of influences likely play a role. Some potential causes include genetic, environmental, social, and psychological factors.

    Learn More: Causes and Risk Factors for Schizophrenia
  • Is schizophrenia genetic?

    Research suggests that genetics play a significant role in causing schizophrenia. Having a family member with the condition greatly increases your risk of developing schizophrenia. However, while the condition sometimes runs in families, having a family member with the condition does not necessarily mean that you will develop the disorder.

  • Is there a cure for schizophrenia?

    There is no cure for schizophrenia, but there are treatments that can help people manage the symptoms of the condition and improve functioning. Treatments vary depending on each individual's needs but may include medications, psychotherapy, and family-based services. People may require different levels of care and support depending on the severity of their condition.

    Learn More: How Is Schizophrenia Treated?
  • At what age does schizophrenia typically develop?

    Research suggests that early symptoms of schizophrenia begin to appear sometime between late adolescence and early twenties, although they may begin later or earlier. The age of onset is also typically later in women than in men. Symptoms appear gradually and become progressively more severe.

Key Terms

  • Psychosis

    Psychosis is a condition that affects the way the brain processes information and causes people to lose touch with reality. Symptoms of psychosis often include having false ideas about what is happening (delusions) or seeing and hearing things that are not really there (hallucinations).

    What Is Psychosis?
  • Antipsychotics

    Antipsychotics are medications used primarily to manage psychosis. While they do not cure the condition, they can help manage the symptoms of schizophrenia. Older antipsychotics are called "typical" or “first generation,” while newer medications are called "atypical" or “second generation.” There is also a purported “third generation,” which includes aripiprazole (Abilify) or brexipiprazole (Rexulti).

    Atypical Antipsychotics for Schizophrenia
  • Psychosocial Intervention

    Psychosocial interventions include activities that focus on the cognitive, behavioral, social, and biological factors that play a role in an individual's well-being. Common psychosocial interventions for schizophrenia include cognitive therapy, psychoeducation, family intervention, assertive community treatment, and social skills training.

  • Electroconvulsive Therapy

    Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is a psychiatric treatment that involves using electrical stimulation to induce seizures. It is most frequently utilized for treatment-resistant depression, but it is sometimes used to treat schizophrenia that has not responded to treatment with antipsychotics.

    What Is Electroconvulsive Therapy?
  • Mania

    Mania is a symptom of bipolar disorder and is characterized by periods of sustained elevated mood, irritability, energy levels, and racing thoughts. When a person experiences symptoms of both bipolar disorder and schizophrenia, it may be an indicator of schizoaffective disorder.

    Schizophrenia vs. Schizoaffective Disorder
  • Delusions

    Common in schizophrenia, delusions are fixed, false beliefs that conflict with reality. If a person is in a delusional state, they can’t let go of their untrue convictions, despite contrary evidence.

    What Are Delusions?
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Page Sources
Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

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  2. National Institute of Mental Health. Schizophrenia. Updated May 2020.

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