8 Facts To Know About Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia is a serious mental health condition that affects how you think, feel, and experience the world. Although schizophrenia affects about 24 million people globally, it’s still widely misunderstood.

Whether you’re living with schizophrenia or supporting a loved one who has it, learning more about this condition can help you know what to expect. With the right treatment and support, many people with schizophrenia are able to manage their symptoms and lead meaningful lives. Keep reading to learn several key facts about schizophrenia.

1. Schizophrenia Was First Described Over 100 Years Ago

When was schizophrenia discovered? The history of schizophrenia dates back thousands of years — ancient Egyptians described symptoms we now connect with the condition. However, it wasn’t formally described until the 1800s, when Dr. Emil Kraeplin called the condition “dementia praecox,” which means “premature (early) dementia.” He had observed people who had a steady decline in their ability to think and process information, similar to those with dementia. In 1911, Dr. Eugen Bleuler introduced the term “schizophrenia,” noting that it wasn’t just one condition but a group of related ones.

Over the past century, observation and research have helped mental health professionals better understand and define schizophrenia. Today, healthcare providers use the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5-TR) to diagnose and describe the condition.

2. People With Schizophrenia Don’t Have a ‘Split Personality’

A common myth about schizophrenia is that it means having a “split personality.” This misconception likely comes from the Greek roots of the word “schizophrenia,” which means “split mind.” However, the characteristics of having two or more distinct personalities fall under a different mental health condition called dissociative identity disorder.

Having two or more separate identities is not one of the symptoms of schizophrenia. Instead, schizophrenia involves symptoms that make it hard to tell what’s real and what isn’t.

3. A Mix of Genetics, Environment, and Brain Chemistry May Cause Schizophrenia

There isn’t a single cause of schizophrenia. Instead, researchers believe that this condition may develop due to a combination of factors, including:

• Genetics — The genes you inherit from your parents
• Environment — Characteristics of your surroundings that affect your health
• Brain chemistry — Imbalances in certain neurotransmitters (brain chemicals that help nerves communicate)

Although the exact cause of schizophrenia is still unclear, researchers have identified several risk factors, such as:

• Having a family member with schizophrenia, especially a parent or sibling
• Being born in winter or early spring
• Residing in an urban area
• Moving to another country
• Living with an autoimmune disease
• Experiencing long-term stress
• Having complications before or during your birth
• Using recreational drugs, especially as a teen or young adult

4. Schizophrenia Is Usually Diagnosed in Late Adolescence or Early Adulthood

Most people with schizophrenia are diagnosed as teenagers or young adults, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. Based on research reported in Wolters Kluwer UpToDate, schizophrenia is slightly more common in men, who tend to be diagnosed from ages 18 to 25 versus 25 to 35 for women.

Although it’s less common, schizophrenia can also begin in children or later in life. Schizophrenia in children is usually more severe and harder to treat. About 20 percent of newly diagnosed people are over 45.

5. Certain Health Conditions Are Related to Schizophrenia

Compared with the general population, people with schizophrenia are at higher risk of related health conditions — called comorbidities — including:

• Other types of mental health conditions, such as depression and anxiety
• Substance use disorder
• Heart disease
• Type 2 diabetes
• Lung disease

These health risks are linked to a mix of factors. People with schizophrenia are more likely to have lifestyle habits, such as smoking or not being physically active, that raise the risk of heart disease and diabetes. Some antipsychotic medications can also cause side effects that affect weight, appetite, and blood sugar levels, further raising the risk of these conditions.

6. People With Schizophrenia Might Not Recognize the Symptoms

Schizophrenia affects how you think and behave, but many people may not realize that their symptoms are part of a mental health issue. That’s because schizophrenia symptoms often feel very real to the person experiencing them. Also, schizophrenia tends to develop gradually over months or years. Often, friends and family may notice unusual or concerning behavior before the person does.

Schizophrenia symptoms are classified as positive symptoms and negative symptoms. Negative symptoms, which often appear first, are changes in behavior that involve a loss or drop in normal abilities or behavior. Examples include:

• Lack of motivation
• Low energy
• Reduced speech
• Withdrawal from social situations
• Difficulty expressing emotions
• Cognitive symptoms (difficulty concentrating, remembering things, or making decisions)

Positive symptoms affect how a person thinks, behaves, or sees the world. These symptoms can make it hard to tell what’s real and what isn’t. Examples include:

• Hallucinations — Seeing, hearing, smelling, tasting, or feeling something that isn’t there, such as hearing voices (the most common type)
• Delusions — Strongly held false beliefs that aren’t based in reality, such as thinking someone is spying on you when they’re not
• Thought disorder — An unusual or disorganized way of thinking or talking that’s hard to follow, making it difficult to communicate

7. No Diagnostic Tests Look Specifically for Schizophrenia

There isn’t a single laboratory test that can diagnose schizophrenia. Instead, healthcare providers assess symptoms to make a diagnosis. They use the DSM-5-TR criteria, which state that a person must have two or more of the five main symptoms for most of a one-month period. These symptoms must also cause problems in daily life, such as at work or in relationships.

Based on the DSM-5-TR, there are five main symptoms of schizophrenia:

• Delusions
• Hallucinations
• Disorganized speech
• Disorganized or unusual behavior
• Negative symptoms

Even though there aren’t any tests specifically to confirm schizophrenia, healthcare providers may order tests to rule out other conditions with similar symptoms. These tests may include:

• A physical exam
• A mental health evaluation
• Imaging tests
• Blood tests
• Tests that measure brain activity

8. Treatment of Schizophrenia Involves Medication and Therapy

Schizophrenia is a lifelong condition, but with the right treatment plan, many people can successfully manage their symptoms and lead fulfilling lives. Treatment usually involves a combination of antipsychotic medications and psychotherapy (talk therapy).

Antipsychotic medications can help decrease the severity and frequency of schizophrenia symptoms. These drugs work by influencing neurotransmitters such as dopamine and serotonin. There are several types of antipsychotic medications, and your healthcare provider will try to find the best treatment options and doses to manage symptoms while causing the fewest side effects.

Psychotherapy, another important aspect of treatment, can help people with schizophrenia understand their condition, manage challenges, build social skills, and support their emotional well-being. Family education and family therapy can also be helpful. These programs teach loved ones about schizophrenia, explain how to support someone who has it, and discuss ways to manage stress.

Many people with schizophrenia receive care through outpatient clinics or coordinated specialty care programs. However, some people may need a hospital stay if symptoms become severe.

With regular treatment and support from healthcare providers and loved ones, many people with schizophrenia are able to find stability and lead meaningful lives.

Find Your Team

On MySchizophreniaTeam, the site for people with schizophrenia and their loved ones, people come together to ask questions, give advice, and share their stories with others who understand life with schizophrenia.

Have you or a loved one been diagnosed with schizophrenia? What questions about schizophrenia do you have? Share your experience in the comments below.