This is only an introductory guide. It’s important to remember that each person with schizophrenia will have a different experience of the condition.312
What are the symptoms of schizophrenia?
There are three main groups of schizophrenia symptoms: negative, positive and cognitive.2 Read about the symptoms of schizophrenia.
What causes schizophrenia?
We don’t exactly know, but researchers believe it may result from vulnerabilities “determined by a combination of biological, social and psychological factors”.12 Read about the causes of schizophrenia.
Can people with schizophrenia stop taking their medication?
It’s important that medication is taken as prescribed by the healthcare professional. A person with schizophrenia should regularly talk to their doctor, especially before changing or stopping their medication.
Why don’t people with schizophrenia always seek help?
There may be several reasons for this. People with schizophrenia don’t always understand that they are ill and need to speak to a doctor.27
What can friends and family do to help?
Family can be helpful to someone with schizophrenia by being supportive.17 Ways you can help include: helping to arrange the initial medical assessment and regular follow-up, making sure that they take their medication as prescribed, and encouraging them in their rehabilitation. But friends and family don’t have to do this by themselves. Various patient groups offer information and support, not only for those with schizophrenia, but also for those that care for them. Knowing how best to help someone with schizophrenia can empower those that care for them and so ease their role.
Apart from medication, what other kind of treatment can help someone with schizophrenia?
Psychological treatment, including cognitive behavioral therapy, can help a person with schizophrenia manage their symptoms better. Art therapies designed to promote creative expression can sometimes relieve the negative symptoms of the condition.28
What other help might someone with schizophrenia need?
A person with schizophrenia may need help with several aspects of their daily lives.7 This could include finding housing, training for a job, managing their money, claiming benefits and using public transport.
How can I dispel the misconceptions about schizophrenia?
You can help to dispel the misconceptions about schizophrenia by learning more about the condition. Then, by using your awareness of what it is, what schizophrenia’s symptoms are and how it’s managed, you can educate other people.
Does schizophrenia run in families?
Schizophrenia can run in families, but just because one person is affected doesn’t mean that anyone else in that family will necessarily develop it.35 The risk of developing schizophrenia depends on how closely a family member is related to someone with schizophrenia.29
Can people with schizophrenia lose motivation and emotional expression?
Yes, these are known as ‘negative symptoms’.
Is anything being done to improve the treatment of schizophrenia?
Yes. Clinical research (medical trials) continues to look for new and improved treatments.
