A person hears voices commenting on their actions, holds fixed false beliefs, and shows disorganized speech or behavior. Schizophrenia is a severe mental disorder characterized by disturbances in thought, perception, emotion, and behavior.

Positive symptoms include hallucinations and delusions; negative symptoms include reduced motivation, flattened affect, and social withdrawal; cognitive symptoms involve impaired attention and working memory. Onset is typically in late adolescence or early adulthood. Genetic vulnerability, neurodevelopmental factors, and environmental stressors all contribute. The disorder is not split personality.

Antipsychotic medication is the mainstay of treatment for positive symptoms. Psychosocial interventions, supported employment, and family education improve functional outcomes. Early intervention programs aim to reduce the duration of untreated psychosis. Many people with schizophrenia achieve substantial recovery when comprehensive care is available. The illness remains one of the most disabling and stigmatized psychiatric conditions.

• Disturbances in thought, perception, and behavior
• Includes positive, negative, and cognitive symptoms
• Multifactorial causes
• Managed with medication and psychosocial support