Basics
What is schizophrenia?
A chronic mental disorder affecting thinking, feelings, and behavior.
What are hallucinations?
Sensing things that aren’t there
What is flat affect?
Reduced emotional expression
Can schizophrenia run in families?
Yes, genetics play a role
What is the main type of medication used to treat schizophrenia?
Antipsychotics
What type of disorder is schizophrenia?
A psychotic disorder
What are delusions?
Strong false beliefs
What is avolition?
Lack of motivation
Name one brain chemical linked to schizophrenia.
Dopamine or glutamate
True or False: Schizophrenia means multiple personalities.
False
What does “psychosis” mean?
Loss of contact with reality
What is the most common type of hallucination?
Hearing voices
What is anhedonia?
Inability to feel pleasure
Name one environmental risk factor.
Stress, trauma, poor nutrition, or drug use.
What disorder is commonly confused with schizophrenia?
dissociative identity disorder (multiple personality disorder)
About what percentage of people worldwide have schizophrenia?
About 0.29%
What type of delusion involves believing others want to harm you?
Paranoid delusion.
What is alogia?
Reduced speech
At what stage of life can drug use increase risk the most?
Adolescence
True or False: Most people with schizophrenia are violent.
False
When does schizophrenia most commonly develop?
Late teens to early adulthood
What is disorganized speech?
Speech that is hard to follow or illogical
What is social withdrawal?
Avoiding people and isolating oneself
Is there a single known cause of schizophrenia?
No.
Why is early treatment important?
It reduces severity and improves long-term outcomes