Schizophrenia is a serious mental illness that affects how a person thinks, feels, and behaves. It is characterized by thoughts or experiences that are out of touch with reality (psychosis), disorganized speech or behavior, and decreased participation in daily activities. With consistent, comprehensive treatment including medication and therapy, management and recovery are possible.

Common Symptoms or Things to Look Out For:

• Two or more of the following for a significant portion of a one-month period: Delusions, Hallucinations, Disorganized speech, Grossly disorganized or catatonic behavior, or Negative symptoms (e.g., diminished emotional expression).
• Significant functional impairment in work, interpersonal relations, or self-care.
• Continuous signs of the disturbance persist for at least 6 months.
• Often includes cognitive impairment in attention, working memory, and executive function.