What Is Schizophrenia? Your GoodRx Guide
Comprehensive information for you or a loved one — including treatment options and discounts on popular medications.
Schizophrenia is a mental health disorder that impacts how you think, speak, feel, and act. It affects nearly 1 in 100 people in the U.S., including people of all ages, genders, and ethnicities.
Common symptoms of schizophrenia include:
Hallucinations
Delusions
Problems thinking and speaking clearly
Trouble keeping up with personal care and hygiene
Withdrawing from family and friends
Most people with schizophrenia are first diagnosed in their late teens to mid-thirties. It’s important to get treatment for schizophrenia early, as this helps many people have the best outcome.
Experts don’t know exactly how you get schizophrenia. We still have much to learn. Like many other mental health conditions, it’s likely caused by a combination of things.
These may include:
Your genetics: Certain genes may make it more likely for you to get schizophrenia. Genes are passed down from your parents.
Your environment: Certain environmental factors might also play a role. This could include experiencing poverty, childhood trauma, and other stressors.
Brain differences: Some people with schizophrenia may have differences in how their brain works or is structured.
Risk factors for schizophrenia include:
Having a close family member (like a parent or sibling) with schizophrenia
Being exposed to certain viruses while in the womb
Not getting enough nutrition while in the womb
Substance use during adolescence and early adulthood
Keep in mind that having risk factors doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll get schizophrenia. It just means your risk may be higher than other people.
Compare prices and information on the most popular Schizophrenia medications.
People with schizophrenia generally have two types of symptoms: positive and negative.
Positive symptoms are things that are “added on” to how a person with schizophrenia thinks or acts. These include:
Hallucinations: This is when you see, hear, or feel things that aren’t actually there. Common examples are hearing noises or voices, or seeing things.
Delusions: This means strongly believing in things that aren’t true.
Disorganized thinking and speech: People with schizophrenia may make up words, say things that don’t make sense, or repeat odd sounds.
Disorganized behavior: Some people with schizophrenia might act in ways that seem strange or hard to predict.
Negative symptoms are things that seem to slowly “fade away” in people with schizophrenia. These include:
Pulling away from others: People with schizophrenia may gradually spend less time with friends and family.
Emotional flatness: People with schizophrenia might not show much emotion in their facial expressions or body language.
Lack of interest or motivation: People with schizophrenia may stop caring about things they used to enjoy. They might also stop taking care of themselves, like bathing or brushing their teeth.
Schizophrenia is typically diagnosed by a mental health professional, such as a:
Psychiatrist
Psychologist
Social worker
Therapist
To determine if you have schizophrenia, they’ll gather information about your:
Current symptoms
Medical history
Ability to keep up with daily life
Family medical and mental health history
A healthcare professional may want you to get a full physical exam or complete blood work. This can help them rule out other possible health conditions. They may also ask to speak with your family members and friends.
Once a healthcare professional or therapist has gathered enough information, they can make a decision about whether or not you have schizophrenia. They can also figure out if another mental or physical health problem could be causing your symptoms.
Medications are a common treatment for schizophrenia. Antipsychotics are often a first choice. But other medications can be used, too, such as antidepressants.
Antipsychotic medications can help with psychotic symptoms like hallucinations and delusions. They’re available in different forms, including as a pill or long-acting monthly injection.
Examples include:
Quetiapine (Seroquel)
Olanzapine (Zyprexa)
Paliperidone (Invega)
Risperidone (Risperdal)
Aripiprazole (Abilify)
Clozapine (Clozaril)
Lurasidone (Latuda)
Depending on how well the antipsychotics work, your prescriber might also suggest other medications. These medications may help with the symptoms of schizophrenia. Some can help with other mental health conditions too.
Examples include:
Antidepressants
Mood stabilizers
Anti-anxiety medications
Therapy can also be a good treatment for people with schizophrenia. This could mean one-on-one therapy, family therapy, or a support group with other people. Some people with schizophrenia also need treatment for a substance use disorder.
Therapy is a good way to better understand yourself, your emotions, and your behavior. It can also be a place where you learn important life skills and healthy habits.
Therapy for people with schizophrenia may include:
Social learning
Social skills training
Cognitive remediation
Cognitive adaptation training (CAT)
It can also be valuable for family members to go to therapy. This can help your family learn how to communicate well, manage a crisis, and support your treatment.
Attending a family group such as a NAMI Family Support Group can also help family members connect with one another and feel less alone.
Peer support groups allow you to connect with other people, get support, and develop your social skills. Some clinics or organizations may offer different options for peer support, such as clubs, classes, or social events.
Many people with schizophrenia also have a substance use disorder. If you have both schizophrenia and a substance use disorder, you might benefit from co-occurring treatment. This means treating your addiction and your mental health condition(s) at the same time.
If you or someone you know is living with schizophrenia, help and support are available. The first step is getting connected with a healthcare professional or treatment team.
Use SAMHSA’s online Behavioral Health Treatment Services Locator to find a treatment program or healthcare professional in your area. You can also call SAMHSA’s National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357). The helpline is free, confidential, and available 24/7.
There are many organizations that offer support:
National Institute of Mental Health: NIMH provides information on mental health disorders, including symptoms, causes, and treatment options.
National Alliance on Mental Illness: NAMI is a nonprofit organization that offers education and support and raises awareness about mental illness. It hosts online and in-person support groups for people experiencing mental illness and their loved ones.
Mental Health America: MHA serves people in the community who are living with mental illness. The organization offers information on mental health, living well, getting help, and opportunities for peer support.
Schizophrenia & Psychosis Action Alliance: This organization advocates for better access to mental health treatment and support. It also offers virtual and in-person support groups and a free hotline that can assist with referrals for treatment.
There’s no cure for schizophrenia. But with treatment and support, many people with schizophrenia live productive and fulfilling lives.
There’s no cure for schizophrenia. But with treatment and support, many people with schizophrenia live productive and fulfilling lives.
If you have a friend or family member with schizophrenia, it can be hard to know how to help. Consider learning about their condition, finding ways to support their treatment, and encouraging them to practice self-care. It’s important to get support for yourself too.
Looking for more information? Here are ways you can help someone with schizophrenia.
Paranoid schizophrenia is just a way of describing someone with schizophrenia who has paranoid symptoms. Examples of paranoid symptoms are believing someone is watching you or trying to harm you. These days, health professionals typically just use the term “schizophrenia” to describe people with these symptoms.
American Psychiatric Association. (2021). Practice guideline for the treatment of patients with schizophrenia.
American Psychiatric Association. (2024). What is schizophrenia?
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