Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia is a chronic mental health condition affecting how a person thinks, feels, and perceives reality, involving symptoms such as hallucinations, delusions, and disorganised thinking. With ongoing treatment, many people are able to manage the condition and lead fulfilling lives.

• Hallucinations, most commonly hearing voices that others do not hear
• Delusions — strongly held false beliefs not shared by others
• Disorganised thinking or speech that is difficult to follow
• Reduced motivation, social withdrawal, and flattened emotional expression
• Difficulty with concentration, memory, or planning
• Symptoms typically develop gradually, often first appearing in late adolescence or early adulthood

• Believed to result from a combination of genetic, biological (including brain chemistry and structure), and environmental factors.
• Family history of schizophrenia or other psychotic conditions increases risk.
• Substance use, particularly in vulnerable individuals, can trigger or worsen symptoms, though it is not considered the sole cause in most cases.

• Diagnosed through a detailed clinical history and mental state assessment, including the specific pattern, duration, and severity of symptoms.
• Physical causes of similar symptoms, such as infection, substance intoxication, or other medical conditions, are considered and excluded, particularly with sudden-onset symptoms.
• Assessment of risk to self or others is an essential part of every evaluation.

Antipsychotic medicine is the cornerstone of treatment, helping to reduce hallucinations, delusions, and disorganised thinking, and is generally needed on an ongoing basis to maintain stability and prevent relapse.

Acute episodes with significant risk or severe symptoms may require closer monitoring or hospital-level care until stabilised.

Psychosocial support — including family education, social skills support, and, where available, supported employment or education programmes — significantly improves long-term functioning alongside medicine.

Regular follow-up helps monitor symptom control, medicine side effects, and overall wellbeing, and supports early identification of relapse warning signs.

Family involvement and community support play an important role in helping someone with schizophrenia maintain stability and quality of life.

• Take antipsychotic medicine consistently as prescribed, and avoid stopping it without medical guidance, since stopping suddenly increases relapse risk.
• Attend regular follow-up appointments for symptom and side-effect monitoring.
• Build a support network of family, friends, and health workers who can help identify early warning signs of relapse.
• Avoid substance use, which can worsen symptoms and interfere with treatment.
• Seek support from family psychoeducation or community mental health programmes where available.