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Schizophrenia
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Schizophrenia is a complex brain disorder, which affects about one in a 100 or around 190,000 Australians. The illness is characterised by a breakdown of thinking and emotions, and a loss of contact with reality. It usually begins in late adolescence or early adulthood and does not spare any race, culture, class or sex.
About 20 to 30 per cent of people with schizophrenia experience only a few brief episodes. For others, it is a chronic condition. Ten per cent of people with schizophrenia commit suicide.
Symptoms can vary
Symptoms of schizophrenia include:
- Hallucinations
- Delusions
- Thought disorders
- Social withdrawal
- Lack of motivation
- ‘Blunted’ emotions
- Inappropriate responses
- Impaired thinking and memory
- Lack of insight.
Not all people affected by schizophrenia have all these symptoms. Some symptoms appear only for short periods or ‘episodes’.
Hallucinations and delusions explained
Hallucinations and delusions are psychotic symptoms. Hallucinations can involve hearing, seeing, tasting, feeling or smelling something that does not exist and which the sufferer is unable to distinguish from reality. Similarly, delusions (unfounded beliefs of persecution, guilt or grandeur) seem utterly real to the person experiencing them. Thought disorders manifest as disconnected, illogical speech.
Social isolation – a major problem
While these psychotic symptoms are more alarming, other symptoms reinforce the alienation of people with schizophrenia. They are often unable to participate in normal social events or conversations and lack sufficient motivation for simple activities like bathing or cooking. In addition, sufferers lack the insight to recognise how their inappropriate behaviour appears to others.
Schizophrenia is not a split personality
There are many myths about schizophrenia. Sufferers do not have ‘split personalities’ and they are not intellectually disabled. While aggression may occur among a minority of patients during an untreated acute episode, it is uncommon and unlike that commonly portrayed in the media.
Current treatments for schizophrenia
Medication, hospital care and rehabilitation are the best forms of treatment. Admission to hospital is only necessary during crises; normal living can resume once symptoms subside. Effective antipsychotic (neuroleptic) medications enable many people with schizophrenia to lead full and productive lives.
Antipsychotic drugs help stabilise some symptoms, but do not cure the disease and are frequently associated with side effects. Most people need to stay on medication to prevent relapse.
Carers, guardianship and rights
If people with schizophrenia are unable to manage their own affairs, their carers may take out power of attorney. The State Trustees and the Guardianship and Administration Board can assist to manage finances in some circumstances. If there are concerns about the appropriateness of treatment, the Health Services Complaints Commission, the Office of the Public Advocate or the Equal Opportunity Office may provide help.
Current research
Schizophrenia is highly complex. The exact cause of the illness is not yet known, although research to date has yielded several valuable ‘leads’. Several lines of research are currently being pursued at the Mental Health Research Institute. Some of these include:
- Biochemical research in Australia aims to develop new antipsychotic medications.
- A protein that appears altered in people with schizophrenia has been identified – this may be relevant to the development of future drug treatments.
- Structural changes have been found in the hippocampus (a brain region involved in memory and thinking) after the onset of psychotic symptoms. This suggests that brain changes are actively occurring during the period of transition to illness. These findings may help researchers find ways to prevent or reduce the impact of schizophrenia. Clinical studies have shown reduced cognitive (thought) processes are associated with reductions in volume of the right hippocampus; these deficits increase with duration of illness.
- Laboratory research examining the protective effect of oestrogen in schizophrenia may have implications for delaying the onset of illness and treating negative symptoms.
- Information gathered on the behavioural, thought, hearing and structural brain abnormalities related to auditory hallucinations, or ‘hearing voices’, have provided new insights into the nature of auditory hallucinations. Researchers are developing techniques to help people cope with ‘the voices’.
- Clinical research has led to the development of resources for professionals to support families where children are living with mentally ill parents.
- Clinical researchers are collecting data as part of an international study of families in which there is a clearly inherited pattern of the illness. This may help them to learn more about genetic links in the illness.
Where to get help
- Your doctor
- The Richmond Fellowship of Victoria Tel. (03) 9418 2300
- The Mental Illness Fellowship of Australia Tel. (08) 8221 5159
- SANE Australia Helpline Tel. 1800 187 263
Things to remember
- Schizophrenia is a complex brain disorder, which affects about 190,000 Australians.
- Sufferers do not have ‘split personalities’ and they are not intellectually disabled.
- The cause of the illness is not yet known but research has yielded several important clues. Researchers are actively investigating different aspects of this disease.
- Antipsychotic medications treat the psychotic symptoms, but do not cure the disease.
You might also be interested in:
Antipsychotic medications explained.
Cannabis and psychosis.
Electroconvulsive therapy.
Mental illness.
Mental illness and violence.
Mental illness prevalence.
Psychosis explained.
Schizophrenia - an overview.
Want to know more?
Go to More information for support groups, related links and references.
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This page has been produced in consultation with, and approved by:
Mental Health Research Institute
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Copyight © 1999/2009 State of Victoria. Reproduced from the Better Health Channel (www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au) at no cost with permission of the Victorian Minister for Health. Unauthorised reproduction and other uses comprised in the copyright are prohibited without permission.
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This Better Health Channel fact sheet has passed through a rigorous approval process. For the latest updates and more information visit www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au.
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Fact sheet currently being reviewed.
Last updated: March 2008
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Schizophrenia is a complex brain disorder.The illness is characterised by a breakdown of thinking and emotions, and a loss of contact with reality. Symptoms of schizophrenia vary widely but may include hallucinations, delusions, thought disorders, social withdrawal, lack of motivation and impaired thinking and memory. Schizophrenia is not a split personality. People with schizophrenia have a high risk of suicide...
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Schizophrenia - Better Health ChannelSchizophrenia is a complex brain disorder.The illness is characterised by a breakdown of thinking and emotions, and a loss of contact with reality. Symptoms of schizophrenia vary widely but may include hallucinations, delusions, thought disorders, social withdrawal, lack of motivation and impaired thinking and memory. Schizophrenia is not a split personality. People with schizophrenia have a high risk of suicide...
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The information published here was accurate at the time of publication and is not intended to take the place of medical advice. Please seek advice from a qualified health care professional.
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