Schizophrenia is a detailed booklet that describes symptoms, causes, and treatments, with information on getting help and coping.

What is schizophrenia?
Schizophrenia is a chronic, severe, and disabling brain disorder that has affected people throughout history. About 1 percent of Americans have this illness.

People with the disorder may hear voices other people don't hear. They may believe other people are reading their minds, controlling their thoughts, or plotting to harm them. This can terrify people with the illness and make them withdrawn or extremely agitated.

People with schizophrenia may not make sense when they talk. They may sit for hours without moving or talking. Sometimes people with schizophrenia seem perfectly fine until they talk about what they are really thinking.

Families and society are affected by schizophrenia too. Many people with schizophrenia have difficulty holding a job or caring for themselves, so they rely on others for help.

Treatment helps relieve many symptoms of schizophrenia, but most people who have the disorder cope with symptoms throughout their lives. However, many people with schizophrenia can lead rewarding and meaningful lives in their communities. Researchers are developing more effective medications and using new research tools to understand the causes of schizophrenia. In the years to come, this work may help prevent and better treat the illness.

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U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
National Institutes of Health
National Institute of Mental Health
NIH Publication No. 09-3517 Revised 2009

CONTENTS
What is schizophrenia?
What are the symptoms of schizophrenia?
Positive symptoms
Negative symptoms
Cognitive symptoms
When does schizophrenia start and who gets it?
Are people with schizophrenia violent?
What about substance abuse?
What causes schizophrenia?
How is schizophrenia treated?
Antipsychotic medications
Psychosocial treatments
How can you help a person with schizophrenia?
What is the outlook for the future?
Citations
For more information on schizophrenia

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