What Is Schizophrenia?

Schizophrenia is a chronic, severe, and disabling brain disorder

associated with unusual or bizarre thinking or behavior. Approximately

1 percent of the population develops schizophrenia during their lifetime:

more than 2 million Americans suffer from the illness in a given year.

Although schizophrenia affects men and women with equal frequency,

the disorder often appears earlier in men, usually in the late teens

or early twenties, than in women, who are generally affected in the

twenties to early thirties. People with schizophrenia often suffer

terrifying symptoms such as hearing internal voices not heard by others,

or believing that other people are reading their minds, controlling

their thoughts, or plotting to harm them. These symptoms may leave

them fearful and withdrawn. Their speech and behavior can be so

disorganized that they may be incomprehensible or frightening to others.

Available treatments can relieve many symptoms, but most people

with schizophrenia continue to suffer some symptoms throughout their

lives; it has been estimated that no more than one in five individuals

recovers completely.

This is a time of hope for people with schizophrenia and their families.

Research is gradually leading to new and safer medications and

unraveling the complex causes of the disease. Scientists are using many

approaches from the study of molecular genetics to the study of

populations to learn about schizophrenia. Methods of imaging the brain's

structure and function hold the promise of new insights into the disorder.

Schizophrenia is found all over the world. The severity of the symptoms

and long-lasting, chronic pattern of schizophrenia often cause a high

degree of disability. Medications and other treatments for schizophrenia,

when used regularly and as prescribed, can help reduce and control the

distressing symptoms of the illness. However, some people are not

greatly helped by available treatments or may prematurely discontinue

treatment because of unpleasant side effects or other reasons. Even

when treatment is effective, persisting consequences of the illness:

lost opportunities, stigma, residual symptoms, and medication side

effects may be very troubling.