Schizophrenia is a serious mental disorder affecting about 1% of people worldwide, per the World Health Organization. It disrupts thinking, emotions, and behavior, often emerging in late teens to early 30s. You cannot self-diagnose or diagnose others only a qualified psychiatrist or clinical psychologist can confirm via comprehensive evaluation, including DSM-5 criteria.
Key Symptoms (Must Persist ≥6 Months)
- Positive Symptoms (Added experiences):
- Hallucinations: Hearing voices (most common), seeing/smelling things others don't.
- Delusions: Fixed false beliefs, e.g., persecution ("CIA is tracking me") or grandeur ("I'm a prophet").
- Negative Symptoms (Lost functions):
- Flat emotions, social withdrawal, lack of motivation (avolition), reduced speech.
- Cognitive Symptoms:
- Disorganized thinking/speech (incoherent "word salad"), poor memory/attention.
- Behavioral Changes:
- Bizarre actions, catatonia (unresponsiveness), or agitation.
Red Flags Requiring Urgent Professional Help
- Sudden personality shift + isolation.
- Talking to invisible people or responding to unheard voices.
- Paranoia causing danger (e.g., refusing food fearing poison).
- Suicidal thoughts or self-harm risk.
What It's Not
Fleeting stress, drug-induced psychosis (e.g., meth/LSD), or bipolar mood swings. Rule out medical causes (brain tumors, thyroid issues) first.
Next Steps
Encourage gentle professional referral: "I've noticed changes let's see a doctor together." In crisis, call emergency services or a hotline (e.g., US: 988). Early intervention with antipsychotics + therapy improves outcomes dramatically.