About schizophrenia

Schizophrenia is a mental illness which affects thinking and behaviour. It affects around one in every 100 people and is most commonly diagnosed between the ages of 18-35.

It is not known exactly what causes schizophrenia. It can run in families, although there is not one individual gene. It may also be due to problems in brain chemistry. Schizophrenia can appear to be triggered by severe stress or linked to drug use. It is likely that several factors interact and make some people more likely to develop it than others.

One of the characteristics of schizophrenia is the person will experience psychosis. But having psychosis does not mean a diagnosis of schizophrenia will be made as there may be other causes for the psychosis. .

Symptoms of schizophrenia fall into two groups

Positive: the person experiences new extra things in their life:

  • Hallucinations - hearing voices that no one else hears, seeing things that aren't there, or feeling, smelling or tasting unusual sensations with no obvious cause
  • Believing others can influence their thoughts, or they can influence the thoughts of others or control events
  • Believing they are being watched, followed or persecuted by others or that their life is in danger
  • Having very strong beliefs that may have no basis in reality
  • Very unusual ideas or behaviour.

Negative: the person has trouble feeling or doing things they would normally be OK with:

  • Withdrawal and loss of interest in usual activities
  • Loss of energy or motivation
  • Problems with memory and concentration
  • Problems with work or study
  • Lack of emotional response or inappropriate emotional display
  • Changes or problems with sleep or appetite.

Negative symptoms may start gradually, sometimes a long time before positive ones and it can be hard to tell them apart from other types of behaviour, such as depression or reactions to stress.

It is very important to try and get help early if you think a child or young person you are caring for is developing schizophrenia, as early intervention can prevent the illness from getting worse.

Back to top ↑