Although the term schizophrenia has only been in use since 1908, its symptoms have been described throughout written history.Children as young as 6 years of age can be found to have all the schizophrenia symptoms as their adult counterparts and to continue to have those symptoms into adulthood.While schizophrenia used to be divided into different types of the disorder, like paranoid and undifferentiated forms, it is now considered to have various symptoms of one inclusive disorder.Schizophrenia is one of the psychotic, also called thought-disordered, mental disorders and affects a person's thoughts, behaviors, and social functioning.The public should beware of those offering "the cure" for (or "the cause" of) schizophrenia. Given the complexity of this disorder, the major questions about the illness (its cause or causes, prevention, and treatment) are unlikely to be resolved in the near future. There are a number of various schizophrenia treatments.As discussed later, it appears that genetic and other biological factors produce a vulnerability to schizophrenia, with environmental factors contributing to different degrees in different individuals. There is no known single cause of schizophrenia.Psychotic means out of touch with reality or unable to separate real from unreal experiences. With the sudden onset of severe psychotic symptoms, the individual is said to be experiencing acute psychosis.Schizophrenia is a chronic, severe, debilitating mental illness that affects about 1% of the population - more than 2 million people in the United States alone.Symptoms of schizophrenia include positive, more overtly psychotic symptoms and negative symptoms, potentially less overtly psychotic. Schizophrenia Quiz: What is Schizophrenia? FAQs.Patient Comments: Schizophrenia - Symptoms.Patient Comments: Schizophrenia - In Children.Patient Comments: Schizophrenia - Treatments.Patient Comments: Schizophrenia - Describe Your Experience.
Is it possible to prevent schizophrenia?.What are potential complications of schizophrenia? What is the prognosis for schizophrenia?.What are treatments for schizophrenia and the side effects of those treatments?.What professionals diagnose and treat schizophrenia? Are there particular tests that assess schizophrenia?.What are schizophrenia symptoms and signs?.What are schizophrenia causes? Is schizophrenia hereditary?.How common is schizophrenia in children?.Where can people get more information about schizophrenia? How can peopleįind a support group, specialists who treat the illness, or other assistance for schizophrenia?.What research is being done on schizophrenia?.Facts you should know about schizophrenia.