Schizophrenia is a mental disorder occurring in late adolescence or early adulthood. This condition is characterized by delusions, hallucinations, and other cognitive difficulties, making schizophrenia a lifelong struggle. This condition can be associated with unusual expressions or perceptions of reality, leading to social or occupational dysfunction. Schizophrenia occurs between 16-30 years and affects approximately 1 percent of all adults globally.

Signs and symptoms
Schizophrenia can affect a person suddenly and develop quickly, but in many cases, it develops so slowly that the patient doesn’t realize its presence for years. The symptoms of this disorder may vary from one person to another. Symptoms could be clearly visible in some while others may seem perfectly normal till the time they suddenly start showing signs of the disorder. The symptoms for schizophrenia can be classified as:

• Positive or psychotic (delusions/hallucinations)
• Negative (lack of facial expression or motivation)
• Cognitive (affecting the thought process)
• Emotional (blunted emotions)

Poor expression of emotions, unawareness of illness, and social withdrawal could also be considered as symptoms.

Causes of schizophrenia
Some of the causes of schizophrenia are:

• Genetic inheritance
• A chemical imbalance in the brain
• Family relationships
• Environmental factors
• Using drugs like marijuana and LSD

Types of schizophrenia
The subtypes of schizophrenia don’t exist as a separate clinical disorder anymore; still, they prove to be quite helpful in its treatment.

Paranoid Schizophrenia: This was considered the most common form of schizophrenia, which was later determined as a positive symptom of the disorder.

Schizoaffective Disorder: The individual experiences a series of symptoms such as hallucinations, delusions, trouble in concentration, behavioral impairment, mania, and depression.

Hebephrenic or Disorganized Schizophrenia: The patient exhibits disorganized behavior, speech disturbance, disorganized thinking, inappropriate emotions or facial reactions, and trouble with daily activities.

Undifferentiated Schizophrenia: This term is used to describe the behavior of an individual where the symptoms of more than one type of schizophrenia are displayed.

Residual Schizophrenia: This category is for those who have been once diagnosed with schizophrenia but no longer show any prominent signs and symptoms of the disorder. Some of the symptoms visible in this include psychomotor difficulties, slowed speech, and poor hygiene.

Catatonic Schizophrenia: This subtype generally occurs under a variety of psychiatric conditions and general medical conditions. Mimicking behavior, autism, and a stupor-like condition could be some of the symptoms.

Childhood Schizophrenia: This actually can’t be counted as one of the subtypes, but it refers to the time when schizophrenia is diagnosed, especially in children which is very rare. In this subtype, the treatment should be headed by a child psychiatrist who is experienced in schizophrenia.

Delusion disorder, brief psychotic disorder, schizophreniform disorder, and psychosis can also sometimes be classed as schizophrenia.

Many individuals suffering from schizophrenia might resist treatment as they might not accept their situation. However, treatment can only help in relieving most of the symptoms as a majority of patients have to cope with them throughout their life. Medication, psychological counseling, and self-help resources are counted as the most effective ways to treat schizophrenia.