History, aetiology and symptomatology of schizophrenia

The modern concept of 'schizophrenia' has been greatly informed by Kraepelin's idea of distinction from affective psychoses and association with progressive loss of normal function ('negative' symptoms). There are no necessary or sufficient risk factors for schizophrenia, but multiple biological, psychological and social associations have been reported. It is likely (but as yet unproven) that most of the variation in the incidence of schizophrenia is due to multiple genes of small effect. In any case, the symptoms and disabilities that result impact upon, and are refracted through, the individual, their personality and their particular social setting.