Schizophrenia is a complex and disabling psychiatric disorder that impacts a person’s ability to distinguish between real and unreal experiences, think logically, have normal emotional responses and behave appropriately in social situations.

Patients can be diagnosed with schizophrenia at any age, but the condition most often develops between the ages of 16 and 25 years and affects men and women equally. There are several different types of schizophrenia, including paranoid, disorganized, catatonic, undifferentiated and residual. Depending on the type of schizophrenia, patients report hearing voices that others cannot hear, believing their minds are being read or that others are plotting to harm them.

Physicians divide the symptoms of schizophrenia into positive, negative and cognitive symptoms. Positive symptoms include unusual thoughts (delusions) or misperception of reality (e.g., hallucinations). Negative symptoms include a decreased ability to speak, show emotion, or take action in life. Cognitive symptoms refer to problems with memory and the functions people need to organize and plan.

The exact cause of schizophrenia is not known, but mental health experts believe the condition results from both genetic and environmental factors. Patients with schizophrenia usually first develop symptoms in late adolescence or early adulthood. The condition is rare, occurring in about 1 percent of the U.S. population, according to the National Institute of Mental Health.

Schizophrenia can be difficult to diagnose because its symptoms are often similar to those of other mental illnesses. Physicians will usually rule out other disorders, such as bipolar disorder and substance abuse, before making a diagnosis. Diagnosing schizophrenia in children and adolescents can be especially difficult because hallucinations often occur in these age groups due to other causes. In addition, certain physiological diseases, such as brain tumors, can cause some symptoms that may be mistaken for a mental disorder.

Patients are typically referred to a psychiatrist or other mental health professional who can confirm diagnosis and treat related symptoms. Because there is no cure for schizophrenia, treatment is aimed at alleviating symptoms. Patients with schizophrenia are usually treated with antipsychotic medications. Psychosocial therapy may also be recommended to help patients manage their illness and establish and/or maintain healthy relationships. Educational, counseling and support programs are available to family members of patients as well.

Receiving support from family members and friends is important because some patients resist treatment, believing they do not need psychiatric help.