Schizophrenia

The cause of schizophrenia is still unclear. Some theories about the cause include: genetics (heredity); biology (abnormalities in the brain’s chemistry or structure); and/or possible viral infections and immune disorders.

Genetics (Heredity)

Scientists recognize that the disorder tends to run in families and that a person inherits a tendency to develop the disease. Similar to some other genetically related illnesses, schizophrenia may appear when the body undergoes hormonal and physical changes (like those that occur during puberty in the teen and young adult years) or after dealing with highly stressful situations.

Chemistry 

Scientists believe that people with schizophrenia have an imbalance of the neurotransmitters (brain chemicals) serotonin, dopamine, and glutamate. These neurotransmitters allow nerve cells in the brain to send messages to each other. The imbalance of these chemicals affects the way a person’s brain reacts to stimuli—which explains why a person with schizophrenia may be overwhelmed by sensory information (loud music or bright lights), which other people can easily handle. This problem in processing different sounds, sights, smells, and tastes can also lead to hallucinations or delusions.

Structure

Some research suggests that problems with the development of connections and pathways in the brain while in the womb may later lead to schizophrenia.

Viral Infections and Immune Disorders

Schizophrenia may also be triggered by environmental events, such as viral infections or immune disorders. For instance, babies whose mothers get the flu while they are pregnant are at higher risk of developing schizophrenia later in life. People who are hospitalized for severe infections are also at higher risk.

The signs of schizophrenia are different for everyone. Symptoms may develop slowly over months or years or may appear very abruptly. The disease may come and go in cycles of relapse and remission.

Behaviors that are early warning signs of schizophrenia include:

• Hearing or seeing something that isn’t there
• A constant feeling of being watched
• Peculiar or nonsensical way of speaking or writing
• Strange body positioning
• Feeling indifferent to very important situations
• Deterioration of academic or work performance
• A change in personal hygiene and appearance
• A change in personality
• Increasing withdrawal from social situations
• Irrational, angry or fearful response to loved ones
• Inability to sleep or concentrate
• Inappropriate or bizarre behavior
• Extreme preoccupation with religion or the occult

Anyone who experiences several of these symptoms for more than two weeks should seek help immediately.

If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org. You can also reach Crisis Text Line by texting "MHA" to 741741, go to your local emergency room, or call 911.

A medical or mental health professional may use the following terms when discussing the symptoms of schizophrenia.

Positive symptoms are disturbances that are “added” to the person’s personality.

• Delusions – or false ideas—individuals may believe that someone is spying on them, or that they are someone famous (or a religious figure).
• Hallucinations – seeing, feeling, tasting, hearing, or smelling something that doesn’t really exist. The most common experience is hearing imaginary voices that give commands or comments to the individual.
• Disordered thinking and speech – moving from one topic to another in a nonsensical fashion. Individuals may also make up their own words or sounds, rhyme in a way that doesn't make sense, or repeat words and ideas.
• Disorganized behavior – this can range from having problems with routine behaviors, like hygiene or choosing appropriate clothing for the weather, unprovoked outbursts, or impulsive and uninhibited actions. A person may also have movements that seem anxious, agitated, tense or constant without any apparent reason. 

Negative symptoms are capabilities that are “lost” from the person’s personality.

• Social withdrawal
• Extreme apathy (lack of interest or enthusiasm)
• Lack of drive or initiative
• Emotional flatness

A quick, easy, and confidential way to determine if you may be experiencing a mental health condition is to take a screen. Take a psychosis screen here.

If you suspect that you or someone you know is experiencing symptoms of schizophrenia, it is important to see a medical or mental health professional immediately. Early treatment—even as early as the first episode—can mean a better long-term outcome.

Recovery and Rehabilitation

While no cure for schizophrenia exists, many people with this illness can lead productive and fulfilling lives with the proper treatment. Recovery is possible through a variety of services, including medication and rehabilitation programs. Rehabilitation can help a person recover the confidence and skills needed to live a productive and independent life in the community. Types of services offered to a person with schizophrenia include:

• Case management: helps people access services, financial assistance, treatment, and other resources.
• Psychosocial rehabilitation programs: help people regain skills such as employment, cooking, cleaning, budgeting, shopping, socializing, problem solving, and stress management.
• Self-help groups: provide ongoing support and information from individuals who experience mental illness to persons with serious mental illness.
• Drop-in centers: places where individuals with mental illness can socialize and/or receive informal support and services on an as-needed basis.
• Housing programs: offer a range of support and supervision from 24-hour supervised living to drop-in support as needed.
• Employment programs: assist individuals in finding employment and/or gaining the skills necessary to re-enter the workforce.
• Therapy/Counseling: includes different forms of “talk”therapy, both individual and group, that can help the patient and family members better understand the illness and share their concerns.
• Crisis services: include 24-hour hotlines, after hours counseling, residential placement, and in-patient hospitalization.

Coordinated Specialty Care (CSC) has been found to be especially effective in improving outcomes for people after they experience their first episode of psychosis. CSC involves a team of providers who work with the individual and use shared decision making to implement a multifaceted program aimed at helping the individual to recover. CSC often includes a combination of case management, therapy, supported employment and education services, support and education for the family of the individual, and/or medication. The CSC team also works closely with the individual's primary care provider. Learn more about CSC through NIMH's Recovery After an Initial Schizophrenia Episode (RAISE) Project.

Antipsychotic Medication

Medications are often used to help control the symptoms of schizophrenia. They help reduce the biochemical imbalances that cause schizophrenia and decrease the likelihood of relapse. Like all medications, however, anti-psychotic medications should be taken only under the supervision of a mental health professional. Atypical (or "New Generation") antipsychotics are less likely to cause some of the severe side effects associated with typical antipsychotics (e.g., tardive dyskinesia, dystonia, tremors).

There are two major types of antipsychotic medications:

• Typical ("conventional") antipsychotics effectively control the positive symptoms, such as hallucinations, delusions, and confusion of schizophrenia. Some typical antipsychotics are:
  • Chlorpromazine (Thorazine)
  • Haloperidol (Haldol)
  • Mesoridazine (Serentil)
  • Perphenazine (Trilafon)
  • Fluphenazine (Proxlixin)
  • Thioridazine (Mellaril)
  • Thiothixene (Navane)
  • Trifluoperazine (Stelazine)
• Atypical ("New Generation") antipsychotics treat both the positive and negative symptoms of schizophrenia, often with fewer side effects. Some atypical antipsychotics are:
  • Aripiprazole (Abilify, Aristada)
  • Asenapine (Saphris)
  • Brexpiprazole (Rexulti)
  • Cariprazine (Vraylar)
  • Clozapine (Clozaril, FazaClo, Versacloz)
  • Iloperidone (Fanapt)
  • Lurasidone (Latuda)
  • Olanzapine (Zyprexa)
  • Paliperidone (Invega)
  • Quetiapine (Seroquel)
  • Risperidone (Risperdal)
  • Ziprasidone (Geodon)
  • Lumateperone (Caplyta)

A third, smaller category of drugs used to treat schizophrenia is known as "miscellaneous antipsychotic agents." Miscellaneous antipsychotic agents function differently than typical or atypical antipsychotic medications. Loxapine (Adasuve, Loxitane) is one such type and is used to treat agitation in people with schizophrenia.

Side effects are common with antipsychotic drugs. Mild side effects include dry mouth, blurred vision, constipation, drowsiness, and dizziness, which usually disappear after a few weeks. A more serious side effect is tardive dyskinesia, which is characterized by trouble with muscle control and may include tremors and facial tics. The newer generation of drugs have fewer side effects. However, it is important to talk with your mental health professional before making any changes in medication since many side effects can be controlled.

Read stories from people living with schizophrenia on The Mighty.

Get additional information about schizophrenia from Psych Central.

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
1-800-273-TALK (8255)
http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/

National Schizophrenia Foundation
https://sczaction.org/

National Institute of Mental Health
1-866-615-6464
nimhinfo@nih.gov (e-mail)
www.nimh.nih.gov

Schizophrenia & Psychosis Action Alliance
800-493-2094
info@sczaction.org
https://sczaction.org/