Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia is a psychiatric disorder denoting an often chronic, major mental illness primarily affecting thinking, with attendant difficulties in perception of reality, which in turn can affect behavior and emotion. The term schizophrenia comes from the Greek words σχίζω (schizo, split or divide) and φρενός (phrenos, mind) and can be translated as "shattered mind."

Prognosis

Prognosis for any particular individual affected by schizophrenia is particularly hard to judge as treatment and access to treatment is continually changing as new methods become available and medical recommendations change.

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However, retrospective studies have shown that about a third of people make a full recovery, about a third show improvement but not a full recovery, and a third remain ill{{Fn|19}}.

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While schizophrenia used to be thought of as a degenerative disease, It is now thought that the brain can actually repair itself.

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The World Health Organization conducted two long-term follow-up studies involving more than 2,000 people suffering from schizophrenia in different countries, and discovered these patients have much better long-term outcomes in poor countries (India, Colombia and Nigeria) than in rich countries (USA, UK, Ireland, Denmark, Czechoslovakia, Japan, and Soviet Union){{Fn|39}}, despite the fact antipsychotic medication is typically not widely available in poorer countries.

Related Topics:
World Health Organization - India - Colombia - Nigeria - USA - UK - Ireland - Denmark - Czechoslovakia - Japan - Soviet Union

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There is an extremely high suicide rate associated with schizophrenia. A recent study showed that 30% of patients diagnosed with this condition had attempted suicide at least once during their lifetime{{Fn|20}}. Another study suggested that 10% of persons with schizophrenia die by suicide{{Fn|21}}.

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