What it is

Schizophrenia is a chronic and severe mental disorder characterized by distorted thinking, hallucinations, delusions, and disruptions in cognitive and emotional processing. Individuals with schizophrenia may have difficulty distinguishing between what is real and what is not, which can lead to significant distress and impairment in daily life.

Signs

Signs of schizophrenia can vary widely among individuals but may include: 

• Hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that do not exist)

• Delusions (such as paranoid beliefs)

• Disorganized speech (thinking)

• Abnormal physical behavior

• Social withdrawal

• Reduced emotional expression

• Cognitive difficulties.

Causes

The exact cause of schizophrenia is yet to be known. However, it has been linked to a few factors such as:

• Genetic predisposition, as individuals with a family history of schizophrenia are at higher risk

• Abnormal brain chemistry and structure

• Environmental factors such as prenatal exposure to viruses

• Stress during early brain development, and 

• Psycho-social factors.

Adjustments

Managing schizophrenia requires a comprehensive approach that addresses both the symptoms of the illness and the individual's overall well-being. This may include:

• Supportive and understanding environment

• Education about the illness for both the individual and their family

• Structured routines

• Minimizing stressors

• Medication adherence

• Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)

• Community support.