Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia is a severe mental illness affecting several domains of cognition and behaviour. The illness most frequently becomes manifest in early adulthood, and often follows a chronic course. It is associated with high morbidity and mortality, and is a leading contributor to disease burden, health and social care costs throughout the world. Antipsychotics are the mainstay of treatment but are limited by significant adverse effects, and therapeutic options for many patients remain inadequate. Schizophrenia is associated with a range of adverse physical health outcomes, which can be compounded by lifestyle factors including substance use, barriers in accessing healthcare and the adverse effects of treatment. Psychological and social interventions are a crucial element of patient care, particularly in alleviating negative symptoms. Current theories view schizophrenia as a disorder of early brain development, with interacting genetic and environmental risk factors.