Schizophrenia symptoms, causes, and treatment: What you need to know

Learn about schizophrenia — its key symptoms, causes, and how early treatment can help manage this mental health condition. (Image: Pexels)

Schizophrenia is a psychiatric disorder that usually affects a person’s ability to think clearly, process emotions, and relate to reality. This mental health condition exists across almost all racial and sociocultural boundaries, and it typically occurs later in women than in men.

Key Features of Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia is characterised by disturbances in thought, perception, speech, and social interaction. The four ‘A’s include ambivalence, autism, affect disturbance, and association disturbance.

The affected individual may be unable to make decisions confidently and may seem withdrawn or absorbed in their own world. Hallucinations, such as hearing voices that comment on their actions, are common. These voices often feel like they are speaking about the person in the third person.

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Thought Disturbances

The individual may also experience thought insertion, where they feel external forces are imposing thoughts into their mind. Thought broadcasting or diffusion is another feature, where the person believes their thoughts are escaping and being heard by others.

Even impulses may feel externally forced. Normal perception becomes private and illogical. Thought blocking is characteristic of schizophrenia, where the stream of speech stops mid-thought, and the person cannot recall what they intended to say.

Language and Speech Symptoms

• Neologisms are common — the creation of new words or phrases not understood by others. Sometimes normal words are used unusually, for example, describing the stomach as a “food vessel.”
• Echolalia, the repetition of others’ words, and verbigeration, the senseless repetition of phrases, are also observed.

People with schizophrenia may develop false, unshakable beliefs called delusions, which can be primary (arising independently) or secondary (resulting from abnormal experiences).

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Diagnosis and Treatment

Diagnosis may include an MRI or CT scan to check for brain changes. Treatment typically combines pharmacological therapy with psychosocial support and rehabilitation. Early intervention, consistent treatment, and lifestyle support can help manage symptoms and improve quality of life.

FAQs on Schizophrenia

1. What is schizophrenia?
Schizophrenia is a psychiatric disorder that affects a person's ability to think clearly, manage emotions, and relate to reality.

2. What are the main symptoms of schizophrenia?
The main symptoms include hallucinations, delusions, thought disturbances, and speech and language issues.

3. How is schizophrenia diagnosed?
Diagnosis often involves a combination of medical imaging (MRI or CT scans) and psychological evaluation.

4. Can schizophrenia be treated?
Yes, treatment typically involves medication, psychosocial support, and rehabilitation to manage symptoms and improve quality of life.

5. Is schizophrenia more common in men or women?
Schizophrenia typically occurs later in women than in men, although it affects both genders.