What Is Schizophrenia and How Is It Treated?

You may have heard about schizophrenia, but do you really know what it means?

Schizophrenia is a long-term and serious mental health issue. It affects a person’s thoughts, feelings and actions. Warning signs often occur between the ages of 16 and 30. Noticeable common signs include: 

 “Losing touch” with reality 

• Hear, see, feel, smell or taste things that aren’t real
• Believe things that are not real
• Show signs of paranoia

Changes to normal feelings and actions

• Speak less
• Find no joy in everyday life
• Express fewer feelings

Changes in memory and thinking

• Can’t focus or pay attention
• Forget things
• Unable to make decisions

What Are Some Causes?

Schizophrenia can be caused by many factors. It may be related to genetics and changes in the brain between birth and puberty. These things can also play a role:

• Environmental causes. Viruses, poor nutrition before birth and problems during birth have all been linked to the condition.
• Family history. Research shows genes play a part, but there is no one gene that causes the health issue by itself.
• Chemical imbalance in the brain. This may be passed genetically or due to environmental causes.

How Can I Help Someone?

Caring for and supporting a loved one with schizophrenia can be hard. It may be tough to know how to react to someone with symptoms you may not fully understand.

Help your loved one see a mental health provider who may suggest one or more of these forms of help

• Psychosocial treatments
• Medication
• Coordinated specialty care 
  Specialty care combines medication, treatment and case management with family support and education. For more information, go to NIMH Recovery After an Initial Schizophrenia Episode .

Keep in mind, to a person with schizophrenia, their thoughts or hallucinations seem very real to them. Their illness is caused by a chemical imbalance that they have no control over.

Above all, treat them with respect. Be kind and supportive, but do not stand for unsafe or inappropriate actions. A caregiver support group can help you cope.

If you have more questions about schizophrenia or any other mental health conditions, reach out to us at BHQualityImprovement@bcbsmt.com.

Source: Recovery After an Initial Schizophrenia Episode (RAISE),  National Institute of Mental Health, 2022; Schizophrenia,  National Institute of Mental Health, 2024 

Originally published 7/31/2018; Revised 2020, 2022, 2024