The information on this website is not intended for diagnosis or treatment. Please consult your physician for health concerns.

+90 850 321 50 00

Schizophrenia

A chronic psychotic disorder affecting thought, perception, and behavior

Written by: Saygı Hospital Health Guide Editorial Board
Published:

This content is for general information; please consult your physician for diagnosis and treatment.

References (5)

This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. You can book an appointment at our Psikiyatri department. Book Appointment →

What is Schizophrenia?

Schizophrenia is a severe and persistent psychiatric disorder with a lifetime prevalence of approximately 0.7 percent worldwide.

DSM-5-TR defines it by the presence of two or more characteristic symptoms (delusions, hallucinations, disorganized speech, grossly disorganized behavior, or negative symptoms) for at least one month, with continuous signs for six months.

Etiology is multifactorial, involving strong genetic influences, neurodevelopmental disruption, dopamine and glutamate dysregulation, and environmental risk factors such as obstetric complications and cannabis use.

With modern antipsychotic medication, psychosocial interventions, and coordinated specialty care, many people achieve meaningful recovery and functional stability.

Symptoms

Delusions, including persecutory, referential, or grandiose beliefs
Hallucinations, most commonly auditory
Disorganized thinking or speech (loose associations, tangentiality, incoherence)
Grossly disorganized or catatonic behavior
Negative symptoms such as reduced emotional expression, avolition, alogia, or social withdrawal
Cognitive difficulties in attention, working memory, and executive function

Risk Factors

Family history of schizophrenia or other psychotic disorders
Obstetric complications, prenatal infection, or maternal malnutrition
Cannabis use, particularly high-potency products in adolescence
Urban upbringing, migration, and exposure to severe childhood adversity
Older paternal age at conception
Neurodevelopmental conditions and head injury

When to See a Doctor?

If you experience any of the following symptoms, seek medical attention promptly:

  • Seek psychiatric evaluation at the first signs of unusual beliefs, perceptions, social withdrawal, or functional decline.
  • Contact emergency services urgently if there is risk of self-harm, suicide, aggression, or severe self-neglect.
  • Medical evaluation is needed to exclude substance-induced psychosis, delirium, or neurological disorders.

Treatment Methods

01
Comprehensive psychiatric assessment and medical workup to exclude organic causes
02
Antipsychotic medication (second-generation agents preferred as first-line) with individualized dose titration
03
Long-acting injectable antipsychotics for patients with adherence difficulties
04
Psychosocial interventions such as CBT for psychosis, family psychoeducation, supported employment, and social skills training
05
Clozapine for treatment-resistant schizophrenia with appropriate safety monitoring
06
Continuity of care via coordinated specialty services, relapse-prevention planning, and attention to physical health

Which Department to Visit?

You can visit our Psikiyatri department for these complaints. Our specialist physicians will create the most suitable treatment plan for you.

Learn About Psikiyatri Department

Let us help you

You can make an appointment with our specialists or contact us for your concerns.

Book AppointmentContact Us

Related Health Topics

Other articles from the same department you may want to explore.

Schizophrenia

Psikiyatri

Schizophrenia is a chronic psychotic disorder characterized by significant disturbances in thought, perception, affect, and behavior, with positive symptoms (delusions, hallucinations) and negative symptoms (emotional flattening, social withdrawal).

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

Psikiyatri

Generalized anxiety disorder is characterized by excessive, difficult-to-control worry most days for at least six months, accompanied by physical symptoms such as muscle tension, fatigue, and sleep disturbance that impair daily functioning.

Psychiatric Insomnia and Sleep Disorders

Psikiyatri

Effects of depression, anxiety and other psychiatric disorders on sleep and their treatment.

Depression

Psikiyatri

What is depression, how does it differ from sadness, and how is it treated?

Anxiety Disorder

Psikiyatri

What is anxiety disorder, how does it differ from normal worry, and how is it overcome?

Panic Attack

Psikiyatri

What is a panic attack, how is this condition — often confused with a heart attack — managed and prevented?

OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder)

Psikiyatri

What is OCD, how are intrusive thoughts and compulsive behaviors treated?

PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder)

Psikiyatri

What is PTSD, how are flashbacks and hyperarousal after trauma treated?

Health Disclaimer: The information on this page is prepared for general informational purposes only. It does not replace medical diagnosis and treatment. Please consult your physician for your complaints. Saygı Hospital does not accept responsibility for actions taken based on the information on this page.