Schizophrenia is a serious mental health disorder in which there are distortions in thinking and perceptions of reality, disturbed emotions, and changes in behavior. The cause of the condition is unknown, but genetic factors are known to play a part: a person who is closely related to somebody with schizophrenia has a significantly increased risk of developing the disorder.
Additionally, in susceptible people, schizophrenia may be triggered by factors such as stress or drug abuse. Symptoms of schizophrenia usually develop gradually.
They may include hallucinations; irrational beliefs, in particular, that thoughts and actions are controlled by an outside force; delusions of persecution; and expression of inappropriate emotions. There may also be rambling speech, with rapid switching from one topic to another; disordered thoughts; and agitation.
A person with schizophrenia may become depressed and socially withdrawn.
Treatment is usually with a combination of antipsychotic medication and psychotherapy, together with social support and rehabilitation. In most cases, schizophrenia is a long-term condition.

Othere related diseases

DEPRESSION
Postnatal depression Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) Depression is characterized by persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and loss of interest in lif...

EATING DISORDERS
Anorexia nervosa Eating disorders are characterized by an abnormal attitude to food, resulting in avoiding food (anorexia), self-induced vomiting (bulimia), or ...

INSOMNIA
Nightmares and night terrors Difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep is often due to lifestyle factors, such as too much caffeine, a poor sleeping environme...

OBSESSIVE COMPULSIVE DISORDER
Commonly known as OCD, obsessive compulsive disorder is characterized by uncontrollable, persistent thoughts (obsessions) accompanied by irresistible urges to c...

PERSONALITY DISORDERS
Personality disorders are conditions in which rigid, dysfunctional patterns of thought and behavior cause persistent problems relating to others and fitting in ...

PHOBIAS
A phobia is a persistent, overwhelming fear of a particular object, animal, activity, or situation. Exposure to the object of the phobia leads to intense anxiet...

POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS
DISORDER Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a form of anxiety that develops after a very distressing, frightening, or stressful event, such as a natural d...

PSYCHOSIS
Psychosis is a mental problem in which a person’s thoughts are so disturbed that he or she loses touch with reality. The main features are hallucinations, suc...