This information supports, and does not replace, advice from your healthcare professional.
Overview
Schizophrenia is a chronic mental health disorder that affects how a person thinks, feels, and behaves, often causing hallucinations, delusions, and disorganized thinking.
Symptoms
Hallucinations (hearing or seeing things that aren’t there) Delusions (false beliefs) Disorganized speech or behavior Social withdrawal Difficulty concentrating or remembering
Causes
Genetic predisposition Neurochemical imbalances in the brain Environmental stressors or trauma
Diagnosis
Psychiatric evaluation Medical history and physical examination Ruling out other mental or medical conditions
Treatment
Antipsychotic medications Cognitive behavioral therapy Supportive therapy and social skills training Family education and support