Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia is a long-term mental health disorder that affects how you think, feel, and behave. It often includes symptoms such as hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that aren’t real), delusions (false beliefs), and confused or disorganised thinking. These symptoms can seriously affect daily life. Despite its severity, schizophrenia is treatable, and with the right care, many people live productive and meaningful lives.

Table of Contents | Jump Ahead

What Is Schizophrenia?

Types of Schizophrenia

Symptoms of Schizophrenia

Causes and Risk Factors

Diagnosis

Treatment

Recovery and Prognosis

Living with Schizophrenia

Family and Caregiver Support

Stigma and Discrimination

Special Considerations

Research and Future Directions

When to Seek Help

Related Terms

References

What Is Schizophrenia?

Schizophrenia affects about 1% of people worldwide. It usually starts in late teenage years or early adulthood, but can develop at any age. The condition involves changes in the brain’s structure and chemistry that affect how someone perceives and interacts with the world. Unlike popular myths, it is not the same as split or multiple personality disorder. People with schizophrenia have one personality but may struggle to tell what is real.

The exact cause is unknown, but it seems to involve genetics, brain chemistry, and environmental factors. It is not caused by bad parenting or personal weaknesses. Early diagnosis and proper treatment—typically medication combined with psychosocial support—help manage symptoms most effectively.

Types of Schizophrenia

Paranoid Schizophrenia (Historical)

• Delusions - Strong false beliefs, often involving persecution or grandiosity
• Hallucinations - Usually auditory (hearing voices)
• Relatively preserved functioning - Better cognitive and emotional functioning compared to other types
• Later onset - Often develops later than other forms

Disorganised Schizophrenia (Historical)

• Disorganised speech - Incoherent or illogical communication
• Disorganised behaviour - Inappropriate or bizarre actions
• Flat or inappropriate emotions - Lack of emotional expression or inappropriate emotional responses
• Early onset - Often develops at a younger age

Catatonic Schizophrenia (Historical)

• Motor symptoms - Unusual movements or lack of movement
• Stupor - Reduced activity and responsiveness
• Rigidity - Maintaining rigid postures
• Echolalia or echopraxia - Repeating others' words or movements

Current Approach

• Positive symptoms - Symptoms that are "added" to normal experience
• Negative symptoms - Symptoms that represent a "loss" of normal functioning
• Cognitive symptoms - Problems with thinking and memory
• Severity and impact - How much do symptoms affect daily functioning

Symptoms of Schizophrenia

Positive Symptoms

Hallucinations

• Auditory hallucinations - Hearing voices or sounds that aren't there (most common)
• Visual hallucinations - Seeing things that aren't there
• Tactile hallucinations - Feeling sensations on your skin that aren't there
• Olfactory hallucinations - Smelling odours that aren't there
• Gustatory hallucinations - Tasting things that aren't there

About Hearing Voices:

• Voices may seem to come from inside or outside your head
• They might comment on your actions, give commands, or have conversations
• Voices can be familiar or unfamiliar, friendly or threatening
• They often seem very real and can be distressing

Delusions

• Persecutory delusions - Believing others are plotting against you or trying to harm you
• Grandiose delusions - Believing you have special powers, fame, or importance
• Referential delusions - Believing that random events or comments are directed at you
• Somatic delusions - False beliefs about your body or health
• Religious delusions - Unusual religious beliefs or thinking you're a religious figure
• Thought broadcasting - Believing others can hear your thoughts
• Thought insertion - Believing others are putting thoughts in your mind
• Thought withdrawal - Believing others are removing thoughts from your mind

Disorganised Thinking and Speech

• Incoherent speech - Speech that doesn't make logical sense
• Loose associations - Jumping from one topic to another without clear connections
• Word salad - Mixing words together in ways that don't make sense
• Neologisms - Making up new words
• Tangential thinking - Going off on tangents and not returning to the main point

Disorganised or Abnormal Motor Behaviour

• Unpredictable agitation - Sudden outbursts or restlessness
• Inappropriate behaviour - Actions that don't fit the situation
• Catatonic behaviour - Unusual postures, movements, or lack of movement
• Repetitive movements - Doing the same actions over and over

Negative Symptoms

Negative symptoms involve a decrease or loss of normal functioning:

Reduced Emotional Expression

• Flat affect - Little or no emotional expression in face or voice
• Reduced eye contact - Difficulty maintaining normal eye contact
• Limited facial expressions - Fewer changes in facial expression
• Monotone speech - Speaking in a flat, emotionless tone

Avolition (Reduced Motivation)

• Lack of drive - Difficulty starting or following through with activities
• Poor hygiene - Neglecting personal care and cleanliness
• Social withdrawal - Avoiding social interactions and activities
• Work or school problems - Difficulty maintaining employment or education

Alogia (Reduced Speech)

• Brief responses - Giving very short answers to questions
• Poverty of speech - Speaking very little
• Poverty of content - Speaking but saying very little of substance
• Delayed responses - Taking a long time to respond to questions

Anhedonia (Reduced Pleasure)

• Loss of interest - No longer enjoying activities you used to like
• Social anhedonia - Not enjoying social interactions
• Physical anhedonia - Not enjoying physical pleasures like food or touch
• Lack of motivation - Difficulty feeling motivated to do things

Asociality

• Social withdrawal - Avoiding friends, family, and social activities
• Difficulty forming relationships - Problems making and maintaining relationships
• Isolation - Spending most time alone
• Lack of social skills - Difficulty with social interactions

Cognitive Symptoms

Cognitive symptoms affect thinking and memory:

Attention Problems

• Difficulty concentrating - Trouble focusing on tasks or conversations
• Easily distracted - Getting sidetracked by irrelevant stimuli
• Trouble filtering information - Difficulty ignoring unimportant information
• Problems with sustained attention - Difficulty maintaining focus over time

Memory Issues

• Working memory problems - Difficulty holding information in mind temporarily
• Long-term memory issues - Problems remembering past events
• Difficulty learning new information - Trouble acquiring new skills or knowledge
• Memory for instructions - Difficulty remembering and following directions

Executive Functioning Problems

• Planning difficulties - Trouble organising and planning activities
• Problem-solving issues - Difficulty working through problems
• Decision-making problems - Trouble making choices
• Abstract thinking difficulties - Problems understanding concepts and metaphors

Causes and Risk Factors

Genetic Factors

• Family history - Having a parent or sibling with schizophrenia increases risk
• Multiple genes - Many genes contribute to risk, each with small effects
• Heritability - About 80% of schizophrenia risk is genetic
• Not deterministic - Having genetic risk doesn't mean you will definitely develop schizophrenia
• Gene-environment interactions - Genes interact with environmental factors

Brain Differences

• Brain structure - Differences in brain areas like the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus
• Neurotransmitters - Imbalances in dopamine, glutamate, and other brain chemicals
• Brain development - Problems with normal brain development during adolescence
• Connectivity - Differences in how brain regions communicate with each other
• Grey matter - Reduced grey matter in certain brain areas

Environmental Risk Factors

Prenatal and Birth Factors

• Maternal infections - Infections during pregnancy, especially in the second trimester
• Nutritional deficiencies - Lack of certain nutrients during pregnancy
• Birth complications - Difficult births or oxygen deprivation
• Maternal stress - High stress during pregnancy
• Season of birth - Slightly higher risk for winter/spring births

Childhood and Adolescent Factors

• Childhood trauma - Physical, sexual, or emotional abuse
• Social adversity - Poverty, discrimination, or social stress
• Urban environment - Growing up in urban areas increases risk slightly
• Cannabis use - Heavy cannabis use during adolescence increases risk
• Social isolation - Lack of social connections during development

Stress and Life Events

• Major life stressors - Traumatic events or major life changes
• Chronic stress - Ongoing stress from various sources
• Immigration - Stress of moving to a new country or culture
• Discrimination - Experiencing racism or other forms of discrimination
• Social defeat - Repeated experiences of social rejection or failure

Substance Use

• Cannabis - Heavy use, especially high-THC cannabis, increases risk
• Stimulants - Amphetamines and cocaine can trigger symptoms
• Alcohol - Heavy alcohol use may increase risk
• Other drugs - Various substances can trigger or worsen symptoms
• Age of first use - Earlier substance use increases risk more

Diagnosis

Schizophrenia is diagnosed by qualified mental health professionals using specific criteria and a comprehensive evaluation.

Diagnostic Criteria (DSM-5-TR)

For a diagnosis of schizophrenia, you must have:

Core Symptoms

• Delusions
• Hallucinations
• Disorganized speech
• Grossly disorganised or catatonic behaviour
• Negative symptoms

At least one symptom must be delusions, hallucinations, or disorganised speech.

Functional Decline

• Work, relationships, or self-care - Significant decline in functioning in one or more areas
• Duration - Symptoms must be present for at least 6 months
• Continuous signs - Some signs of the disorder must be present continuously

Exclusions

• Substance use - Symptoms are not due to substance use or a medical condition
• Other mental health conditions - Symptoms are not better explained by other conditions
• Autism or developmental disorders - If present, delusions or hallucinations must be prominent

Assessment Process

Clinical Interview

• Detailed history - Information about symptoms, when they started, and how they've changed
• Family history - Mental health conditions in family members
• Substance use history - Past and current use of alcohol and drugs
• Medical history - Physical health problems and medications
• Developmental history - Childhood development and early experiences

Mental Status Examination

• Appearance and behaviour - How you look and act during the interview
• Speech - Rate, volume, and organisation of speech
• Mood and affect - Your emotional state and expression
• Thought process - How your thoughts are organised
• Thought content - What you're thinking about, including delusions
• Perceptions - Hallucinations or other unusual perceptions
• Cognition - Memory, attention, and other thinking abilities

Psychological Testing

• Cognitive assessment - Tests of memory, attention, and other thinking skills
• Personality assessment - Tests to understand personality and psychological functioning
• Symptom rating scales - Standardised questionnaires about symptoms
• Functional assessment - Evaluation of daily living skills and functioning

Medical Evaluation

• Physical examination - General physical health assessment
• Laboratory tests - Blood tests to rule out medical causes
• Brain imaging - CT or MRI scans to rule out brain abnormalities
• Neurological examination - Assessment of nervous system functioning

Challenges in Diagnosis

• Symptom overlap - Symptoms can occur in other mental health conditions
• Substance use - Drugs and alcohol can cause similar symptoms
• Medical conditions - Some medical problems can mimic schizophrenia symptoms
• Cultural factors - Symptoms may be interpreted differently across cultures
• Insight - People with schizophrenia may not recognise they have symptoms

Treatment

Medications

Antipsychotic Medications

Antipsychotic Medications are the main treatment. They reduce positive symptoms like hallucinations and delusions.

First-Generation (Typical) Antipsychotics:

• Haloperidol (Haldol) - Effective for positive symptoms
• Chlorpromazine (Thorazine) - One of the first antipsychotics developed
• Fluphenazine (Prolixin) - Available as a long-acting injection.
• Perphenazine (Trilafon) - Medium-strength antipsychotic.

Second-Generation (Atypical) Antipsychotics:

• Risperidone (Risperdal) - Works on positive and negative symptoms.
• Olanzapine (Zyprexa) - Good at preventing relapses.
• Quetiapine (Seroquel) - Also supports mood symptoms.
• Aripiprazole (Abilify) - Works differently from other antipsychotics
• Clozapine (Clozaril) - Most effective but needs regular blood tests.
• Paliperidone (Invega) - Long-acting injection available.
• Ziprasidone (Geodon) - Causes less weight gain.
• Lurasidone (Latuda) - A newer medication with fewer side effects

How Antipsychotics Work

• Dopamine receptors - Block dopamine receptors in the brain
• Other neurotransmitters - Also affect serotonin and other brain chemicals
• Positive symptoms - Most effective for hallucinations and delusions
• Negative symptoms - Some medications also help with negative symptoms
• Prevention - Help prevent relapses when taken regularly

Long-Acting Injectable Medications

• Monthly injections - Given once per month
• Every 3-month injections - Some available every 3 months
• Improved adherence - Help ensure medication is taken regularly
• Steady levels - Provide consistent medication levels in the body
• Reduced relapses - Lower rates of symptom return

Side Effects

• Weight gain - Many antipsychotics cause weight gain
• Sedation - Feeling tired or sleepy
• Dry mouth - Reduced saliva production
• Constipation - Difficulty with bowel movements
• Blurred vision - Temporary vision problems

Serious Side Effects:

• Tardive dyskinesia - Involuntary movements, more common with older medications
• Metabolic syndrome - Weight gain, diabetes, high cholesterol
• Neuroleptic malignant syndrome - Rare but serious reaction
• Agranulocytosis - A dangerous drop in white blood cells (mainly with clozapine)

Psychotherapy

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

• Thought examination - Learning to examine and challenge unusual thoughts
• Coping strategies - Developing ways to manage symptoms
• Problem-solving - Learning to solve daily problems more effectively
• Relapse prevention - Identifying early warning signs and preventing relapses
• Medication adherence - Addressing concerns about taking medication

Family Therapy

• Education - Teaching family members about schizophrenia
• Communication - Improving communication within the family
• Problem-solving - Working together to solve problems
• Stress reduction - Reducing family stress and conflict
• Support - Helping family members support their loved one

Social Skills Training

• Communication skills - Learning to communicate more effectively
• Interpersonal skills - Improving relationships with others
• Daily living skills - Learning practical life skills
• Work skills - Developing skills needed for employment
• Problem-solving - Learning to handle social situations

Cognitive Remediation

• Attention training - Exercises to improve concentration
• Memory training - Activities to strengthen memory
• Executive function - Improving planning and problem-solving abilities
• Processing speed - Exercises to improve thinking speed
• Real-world application - Applying cognitive skills to daily life

Psychosocial Rehabilitation

Case Management

• Coordination of care - Helping coordinate different services and treatments
• Practical assistance - Help with housing, benefits, and other practical needs
• Crisis intervention - Support during difficult times
• Advocacy - Helping you get the services you need
• Monitoring - Regular check-ins to see how you're doing

Vocational Rehabilitation

• Job training - Learning skills needed for employment
• Job placement - Help finding appropriate employment
• Supported employment - Ongoing support while working
• Volunteer opportunities - Meaningful activities that provide structure
• Educational support - Help returning to school or training programs

Housing Support

• Independent living skills - Learning to live independently
• Supported housing - Housing with varying levels of support
• Group homes - Shared living with peers and staff support
• Transitional housing - Temporary housing while working toward independence
• Housing assistance - Help finding and maintaining housing

Peer Support

• Peer specialists - People with lived experience who provide support
• Support groups - Groups of people with similar experiences
• Peer mentoring - One-on-one support from someone who's been there
• Recovery stories - Hearing from others who have recovered
• Mutual support - Giving and receiving support from peers

Recovery and Prognosis

Understanding Recovery

Recovery from schizophrenia is possible, but it looks different for each person. It does not always mean being completely free of symptoms. Instead, recovery means learning to manage symptoms and live a meaningful and fulfilling life despite them.

Factors That Improve Outcomes

• Early treatment - Getting treatment as soon as possible after symptoms begin
• Medication adherence - Taking medications as prescribed consistently
• Strong support system - Having supportive family and friends
• Good insight - Understanding that you have a mental health condition
• Avoiding substance use - Not using alcohol or drugs
• Stress management - Learning to manage stress effectively
• Regular treatment - Staying connected with mental health services

Recovery Stages

• Symptom management - Focus on reducing acute symptoms
• Stabilisation - Getting symptoms under control
• Safety - Ensuring you're safe and not a danger to yourself or others
• Medication adjustment - Finding the right medication and dose
• Crisis intervention - Managing any crises that arise

Stabilisation Phase (6 months - 2 years):

• Symptom monitoring - Watching for changes in symptoms
• Skill building - Learning coping and life skills
• Relationship repair - Working on damaged relationships
• Functional improvement - Gradually improving daily functioning
• Relapse prevention - Learning to prevent symptom return

Recovery Phase (2+ years):

• Sustained improvement - Maintaining stable symptoms and functioning
• Goal achievement - Working toward personal goals
• Independence - Increasing independence in daily life
• Meaningful activities - Engaging in work, school, or volunteer activities
• Quality of life - Focusing on overall well-being and life satisfaction

Long-term Outcomes

• About 1/3 recover significantly - Have minimal symptoms and good functioning
• About 1/3 have moderate symptoms - Manage symptoms with ongoing treatment
• About 1/3 have persistent symptoms - Continue to struggle despite treatment
• Outcomes can change - People can improve even after years of illness
• Individual variation - Everyone's recovery journey is different

Factors Affecting Prognosis

• Later onset - Symptoms beginning after age 25
• Sudden onset - Symptoms developing quickly rather than gradually
• Good premorbid functioning - Good functioning before illness onset
• Positive symptoms predominant - More positive than negative symptoms
• Good insight - Understanding that you have a mental illness
• Strong support system - Supportive family and friends
• No substance use - Avoiding alcohol and drugs

More Challenging Prognosis:

• Early onset - Symptoms beginning before age 18
• Gradual onset - Symptoms developing slowly over time
• Poor premorbid functioning - Problems before illness onset
• Negative symptoms predominant - More negative than positive symptoms
• Poor insight - Not recognising that you have symptoms
• Lack of support - Limited family or social support
• Substance use - Using alcohol or drugs

Living with Schizophrenia

Daily Management

Medication Management

• Take as prescribed - Take medications exactly as your doctor prescribes
• Don't stop suddenly - Always talk to your doctor before stopping medication
• Track side effects - Keep a record of any side effects you experience
• Regular appointments - See your doctor regularly for monitoring
• Blood tests - Get required blood tests, especially if taking clozapine

Recognising Warning Signs

• Early warning signs - Learn to recognise when symptoms might be returning
• Stress triggers - Identify what situations increase your stress
• Sleep patterns - Changes in sleep often precede symptom changes
• Social withdrawal - Pulling away from others can be an early sign
• Medication issues - Missing doses or side effects can trigger symptoms

Stress Management

• Regular routine - Maintain consistent daily and weekly routines
• Relaxation techniques - Learn deep breathing, meditation, or other relaxation methods
• Exercise - Regular physical activity can help manage stress and symptoms
• Adequate sleep - Get 7-9 hours of sleep per night
• Limit caffeine - Too much caffeine can increase anxiety and interfere with sleep

Social Relationships

• Maintain connections - Stay connected with supportive family and friends
• Communication - Be honest with trusted people about your condition
• Set boundaries - It's okay to limit contact with people who are not supportive
• Join support groups - Connect with others who understand your experience
• Build new relationships - Gradually build new friendships and connections

Work and Education

• Vocational rehabilitation - Programs to help you develop work skills
• Supported employment - Jobs with ongoing support and accommodations
• Disclosure decisions - Deciding whether and when to tell employers about your condition
• Accommodations - Workplace accommodations that can help you succeed
• Educational support - Help returning to school or training programs

Independent Living

• Life skills training - Learning practical skills for daily living
• Money management - Learning to budget and manage finances
• Housing options - Finding appropriate housing with needed support
• Transportation - Learning to use public transportation or other options
• Healthcare management - Learning to manage your healthcare needs

Avoiding Substance Use

• High risk - People with schizophrenia are at higher risk for substance use problems
• Worsens symptoms - Alcohol and drugs can make symptoms worse
• Interferes with medication - Substances can interfere with how medications work
• Treatment programs - Specialised programs for people with both conditions
• Support groups - Groups specifically for people with mental illness and substance use

Family and Caregiver Support

Understanding the Impact on Families

• Emotional impact - Families often experience grief, guilt, and worry
• Practical challenges - Managing daily life and treatment can be difficult
• Financial stress - Treatment costs and lost income can create financial strain
• Social isolation - Families may withdraw from social activities
• Relationship changes - Family dynamics and relationships may change

How Families Can Help

• Learn about schizophrenia - Education helps families understand the condition
• Support treatment - Encourage and support treatment adherence
• Maintain hope - Recovery is possible with proper treatment and support
• Take care of themselves - Family members need to maintain their own health
• Set realistic expectations - Recovery takes time and may have setbacks

Family Education and Support

• Family education programs - Classes about schizophrenia and treatment
• Family support groups - Groups for family members to share experiences
• Family therapy - Therapy that includes family members
• Crisis planning - Developing plans for handling crises
• Advocacy training - Learning to advocate for your loved one's needs

Communication Strategies

• Stay calm - Remain calm even when your loved one is experiencing symptoms
• Don't argue with delusions - Don't try to convince them their beliefs are false
• Focus on feelings - Acknowledge their feelings even if you don't agree with their thoughts
• Set clear boundaries - Be clear about what behaviours are and aren't acceptable
• Encourage treatment - Gently encourage them to continue with treatment

Stigma and Discrimination

Understanding Stigma

• Public stigma - Negative attitudes and beliefs held by society
• Self-stigma - Internalised shame and negative beliefs about yourself
• Structural stigma - Discrimination in policies, laws, and institutions
• Media portrayal - Often inaccurate and sensationalised portrayals in the media
• Impact on treatment - Stigma can prevent people from seeking help

Common Misconceptions

• "Split personality" - Schizophrenia is not multiple personality disorder
• Violence - Most people with schizophrenia are not violent
• Hopelessness - Recovery and a good quality of life are possible
• Caused by parenting - Schizophrenia is not caused by bad parenting
• Lack of intelligence - People with schizophrenia can be very intelligent

Reducing Stigma

• Education - Teaching people accurate information about schizophrenia
• Contact - Personal contact with people who have schizophrenia reduces stigma
• Language - Using respectful, person-first language
• Media advocacy - Encouraging accurate portrayals in media
• Sharing stories - People with schizophrenia sharing their experiences

Self-Advocacy

• Know your rights - Understanding legal protections against discrimination
• Disclosure decisions - Deciding when and to whom to disclose your condition
• Challenge stereotypes - Showing that people with schizophrenia are valuable members of society
• Seek support - Connecting with others who understand your experience
• Focus on strengths - Emphasising your abilities and accomplishments

Special Considerations

Schizophrenia in Different Age Groups

Childhood-Onset Schizophrenia

• Very rare - Occurs in less than 1 in 10,000 children
• More severe - Often more severe than adult-onset schizophrenia
• Developmental impact - Can significantly affect development and learning
• Family involvement - Requires intensive family involvement in treatment
• Specialised care - Needs specialised pediatric mental health care

Adolescent-Onset Schizophrenia

• More common - Most cases begin in late adolescence or early adulthood
• Developmental challenges - Occur during the critical developmental period
• Educational impact - Can significantly affect school performance
• Family stress - Creates significant stress for families
• Early intervention - Early treatment is crucial for better outcomes

Late-Onset Schizophrenia

• After age 45 - Schizophrenia that begins after age 45
• More common in women - Women are more likely to develop late-onset schizophrenia
• Different presentation - May have fewer negative symptoms
• Better functioning - Often better social and occupational functioning
• Medical considerations - Need to consider other medical conditions

Gender Differences

• Age of onset - Men typically develop symptoms earlier than women
• Symptom presentation - Women may have more mood symptoms
• Treatment response - Women may respond better to lower doses of medication
• Hormonal factors - Estrogen may have protective effects
• Pregnancy considerations - Special considerations for women who become pregnant

Cultural Considerations

• Symptom interpretation - Symptoms may be interpreted differently across cultures
• Help-seeking - Cultural attitudes toward mental health affect help-seeking
• Family involvement - Cultural values about family roles in treatment
• Religious/spiritual - Religious or spiritual beliefs may affect understanding of symptoms
• Treatment adaptation - Treatment may need to be adapted for different cultures

Research and Future Directions

Current Research Areas

• Genetics - Identifying genes that contribute to schizophrenia risk
• Brain imaging - Understanding brain differences in schizophrenia
• New medications - Developing more effective treatments with fewer side effects
• Cognitive remediation - Improving thinking and memory problems
• Early intervention - Preventing or delaying the onset of schizophrenia

Promising Treatments

• Cognitive enhancement - Medications to improve thinking and memory
• Inflammation treatments - Targeting brain inflammation
• Personalised medicine - Tailoring treatment based on individual characteristics
• Digital therapeutics - Using technology to deliver treatment
• Peer support models - Expanding peer-delivered services

Prevention Research

• High-risk individuals - Identifying people at high risk before symptoms develop
• Early intervention - Treating people in early stages to prevent full-blown illness
• Environmental factors - Understanding how to reduce environmental risk factors
• Resilience factors - Identifying what protects against developing schizophrenia

When to Seek Help

Warning Signs

• Hearing voices - Hearing sounds or voices that others don't hear
• Unusual beliefs - Strong beliefs that others find strange or untrue
• Disorganised thinking - Thoughts that don't make sense or jump around
• Social withdrawal - Pulling away from family, friends, and activities
• Decline in functioning - Problems with work, school, or daily activities
• Changes in behaviour - Acting in ways that are unusual or concerning

Getting Help

• Primary care doctor - Start with your family doctor for initial evaluation
• Mental health professionals - Psychiatrists, psychologists, or other mental health specialists
• Crisis services - If you're in crisis, go to an emergency room or call 911
• Community mental health centres - Local centres that provide mental health services
• NAMI - National Alliance on Mental Illness provides resources and support

Crisis Situations

• Thoughts of suicide - Call 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline)
• Thoughts of harming others - Call 911 or go to an emergency room
• Severe symptoms - If symptoms are severe and interfering with safety
• Substance use crisis - If using alcohol or drugs heavily
• Medical emergency - Any serious medical problem

Resources

• National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI): 1-800-950-6264
• Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA): 1-800-662-4357
• Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741
• Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: 988
• Find a helpline, suicide hotline, or crisis line in your country: https://www.therapyroute.com/article/helplines-suicide-hotlines-and-crisis-lines-from-around-the-world
• Find an emergency ambulance number in your country: https://www.therapyroute.com/article/ambulance-emergency-numbers-worldwide-list-by-therapyroute

Related Terms

• Psychosis - Loss of contact with reality, including hallucinations and delusions
• Delusions - Fixed false beliefs that persist despite evidence to the contrary
• Hallucinations - Sensory experiences that occur without external stimuli
• Antipsychotic Medications - Medications used to treat schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders
• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy - A type of therapy that can help with schizophrenia symptoms

References

Mayo Clinic. (2024). Schizophrenia - Symptoms and causes. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/schizophrenia/symptoms-causes/syc-20354443

Mayo Clinic. (2021). Childhood schizophrenia - Symptoms and causes. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/childhood-schizophrenia/symptoms-causes/syc-20354483

NHS. (2025). Treatment - Schizophrenia. https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/conditions/schizophrenia/treatment/

National Institute of Mental Health. (2018). Schizophrenia. https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/schizophrenia

World Health Organisation. (2025). Schizophrenia. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/schizophrenia

National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). (2014). Psychosis and schizophrenia in adults: prevention and management. https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/cg178

American Psychiatric Association. (2019). Draft Schizophrenia Treatment Guideline. https://www.psychiatry.org/File%20Library/Psychiatrists/Practice/Clinical%20Practice%20Guidelines/APA-Draft-Schizophrenia-Treatment-Guideline-Dec2019.pdf

PubMed Central. (2008). Clinical Practice Guidelines for Management of Schizophrenia. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5310098/

This information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified health providers with questions about mental health concerns.