Schizophrenia

Last Updated: October 13, 2024

Schizophrenia is a brain condition that may cause auditory and/or visual hallucinations, delusions, difficulties with emotions and cognition, and verbal communication problems. These symptoms manifest between the ages of 16 and 30.

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Schizophrenia falls under theMental Healthcategory.

What is schizophrenia?

Schizophrenia is a severe mental illness that disrupts a person's thinking and perception of reality. It affects approximately 1% of the global population and is among the top 20 causes of disability worldwide.

Is schizophrenia the same as psychosis?

What are the main signs and symptoms of schizophrenia?

The main signs and symptoms of schizophrenia are categorized into positive (additional) symptoms, such as hallucinations and delusions, and negative (reductive) symptoms, like reduced speech and lack of motivation. Additionally, catatonia and cognitive impairments, which affect memory and attention, are also recognized symptoms, which typically emerge between the ages of 16 and 30.

What’s the difference between positive and negative symptoms?

How is schizophrenia diagnosed?

Schizophrenia is diagnosed by a healthcare provider who conducts an evaluation to exclude other potential causes of symptoms. The diagnosis may use criteria from the DSM and ICD.

What are the DSM-5 criteria for schizophrenia?

What are the ICD-11 criteria for schizophrenia?

What are some of the main medical treatments for schizophrenia?

Antipsychotic medications are the primary treatment for schizophrenia and are typically administered orally or via injection in emergencies, but they can cause side effects like weight gain, sedation, and involuntary movements. Monitoring for extrapyramidal symptoms is crucial because they may indicate a serious condition called tardive dyskinesia.

Have any supplements been studied for schizophrenia?

D-serine, sarcosine, and Ginkgo biloba have shown effectiveness in reducing schizophrenia symptoms when used alongside antipsychotic medications. Additionally, a meta-analysis indicated that B vitamins (particularly vitamin B6, vitamin B12, and folic acid) may reduce psychiatric symptoms, though the results varied and specific effects were unclear.

How could diet affect schizophrenia?

There is limited evidence that dietary changes may influence schizophrenia; some studies indicate an association between a high Dietary Inflammatory Index (DII) score and dietary patterns in people with schizophrenia. Additionally, although some trials reported symptom reduction with a gluten-free diet, other trials did not find the same results.

Are there any other treatments for schizophrenia?

Psychotherapy, particularly cognitive behavioral therapy, is commonly used alongside medication to treat schizophrenia. Additionally, electroconvulsive therapy may also be beneficial for some individuals with this condition.

What causes schizophrenia?

The exact cause of schizophrenia is unknown, but it is believed to involve a combination of genetic factors, environmental influences, and neurotransmitter imbalances.

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References
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  2. ^Marder SR, Cannon TDSchizophrenia.N Engl J Med.(2019-10-31)
  3. ^GBD 2016 Disease and Injury Incidence and Prevalence CollaboratorsGlobal, regional, and national incidence, prevalence, and years lived with disability for 328 diseases and injuries for 195 countries, 1990-2016: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2016Lancet.(2017 Sep 16)
  4. ^Jauhar S, Johnstone M, McKenna PJSchizophrenia.Lancet.(2022-01-29)
  5. ^Firth J, Stubbs B, Sarris J, Rosenbaum S, Teasdale S, Berk M, Yung ARThe effects of vitamin and mineral supplementation on symptoms of schizophrenia: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Psychol Med.(2017-Jul)
  6. ^Jahrami H, Faris MA, Ghazzawi HA, Saif Z, Habib L, Shivappa N, Hébert JRIncreased Dietary Inflammatory Index Is Associated with Schizophrenia: Results of a Case-Control Study from Bahrain.Nutrients.(2019-Aug-11)
  7. ^Onaolapo OJ, Onaolapo AYNutrition, nutritional deficiencies, and schizophrenia: An association worthy of constant reassessment.World J Clin Cases.(2021-Oct-06)
  8. ^Ali SA, Mathur N, Malhotra AK, Braga RJElectroconvulsive Therapy and Schizophrenia: A Systematic Review.Mol Neuropsychiatry.(2019-Apr)
  9. ^Arciniegas DBPsychosis.Continuum (Minneap Minn).(2015-Jun)
  10. ^International Classification of Diseases, Eleventh Revision (ICD-11), World Health Organization (WHO); licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivatives 3.0 IGO license (CC BY-ND 3.0 IGO); cited October 26, 2022;.
Examine Database References
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  4. Serum BDNF - Zhang XY, Zhang WF, Zhou DF, Chen da C, Xiu MH, Wu HR, Haile CN, Kosten TA, Kosten TRBrain-derived neurotrophic factor levels and its Val66Met gene polymorphism predict tardive dyskinesia treatment response to Ginkgo bilobaBiol Psychiatry.(2012 Oct 15)
  5. Schizophrenia symptoms - Eric Y H Chen, Christy L M HuiHT1001, a proprietary North American ginseng extract, improves working memory in schizophrenia: a double-blind, placebo-controlled studyPhytother Res.(2012 Aug)
  6. Schizophrenia symptoms - McGuire P, Robson P, Cubala WJ, Vasile D, Morrison PD, Barron R, Taylor A, Wright SCannabidiol (CBD) as an Adjunctive Therapy in Schizophrenia: A Multicenter Randomized Controlled TrialAm J Psychiatry.(2018 Mar 1)
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  10. Schizophrenia symptoms - Chen CH, Chiu CC, Chiu YH, Chang CH, Chang YH, Huang MC, Lu ML, Chen PYFolate and vitamin B12 supplementation in patients with schizophrenia and low serum folate level: A 24-week randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study.J Formos Med Assoc.(2024 Dec 7)
  11. Schizophrenia symptoms - Kantrowitz JT, Malhotra AK, Cornblatt B, Silipo G, Balla A, Suckow RF, D'Souza C, Saksa J, Woods SW, Javitt DCHigh dose D-serine in the treatment of schizophreniaSchizophr Res.(2010 Aug)
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  14. Schizophrenia symptoms - Lane HY, Chang YC, Liu YC, Chiu CC, Tsai GESarcosine or D-serine add-on treatment for acute exacerbation of schizophrenia: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled studyArch Gen Psychiatry.(2005 Nov)
  15. Schizophrenia symptoms - Weiser M, Heresco-Levy U, Davidson M, Javitt DC, Werbeloff N, Gershon AA, Abramovich Y, Amital D, Doron A, Konas S, Levkovitz Y, Liba D, Teitelbaum A, Mashiach M, Zimmerman YA multicenter, add-on randomized controlled trial of low-dose d-serine for negative and cognitive symptoms of schizophreniaJ Clin Psychiatry.(2012 Jun)
  16. Schizophrenia symptoms - Heresco-Levy U, Javitt DC, Ebstein R, Vass A, Lichtenberg P, Bar G, Catinari S, Ermilov MD-serine efficacy as add-on pharmacotherapy to risperidone and olanzapine for treatment-refractory schizophreniaBiol Psychiatry.(2005 Mar 15)
  17. Schizophrenia symptoms - Chengappa KNR, Brar JS, Gannon JM, Schlicht PJAdjunctive Use of a Standardized Extract of Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha) to Treat Symptom Exacerbation in Schizophrenia: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled StudyJ Clin Psychiatry.(2018 Jul 10)
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  26. Schizophrenia symptoms - Ritsner MS, Miodownik C, Ratner Y, Shleifer T, Mar M, Pintov L, Lerner VL-theanine relieves positive, activation, and anxiety symptoms in patients with schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder: an 8-week, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, 2-center studyJ Clin Psychiatry.(2011 Jan)
  27. Cortisol - Chanoch Miodownik, Rachel Maayan, Yael Ratner, Vladimir Lerner, Leonid Pintov, Maria Mar, Abraham Weizman, Michael S RitsnerSerum levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor and cortisol to sulfate of dehydroepiandrosterone molar ratio associated with clinical response to L-theanine as augmentation of antipsychotic therapy in schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder patientsClin Neuropharmacol.(Jul-Aug 2011)
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  34. C-Reactive Protein (CRP) - Bentolhoda Mousavi, Seyedeh Zahra Bathaie, Farbod Fadai, Zabihollah Ashtari, Neda Ali Beigi, Sara Farhang, Sara Hashempour, Nasim Shahhamzei, Hamid HeidarzadehSafety evaluation of saffron stigma (Crocus sativus L.) aqueous extract and crocin in patients with schizophreniaAvicenna J Phytomed.(Sep-Oct 2015)
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  36. Weight - Mousavi SM, Milajerdi A, Sheikhi A, Kord-Varkaneh H, Feinle-Bisset C, Larijani B, Esmaillzadeh AResveratrol supplementation significantly influences obesity measures: a systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.Obes Rev.(2019-Mar)
  37. Memory - Marx W, Kelly JT, Marshall S, Cutajar J, Annois B, Pipingas A, Tierney A, Itsiopoulos CEffect of resveratrol supplementation on cognitive performance and mood in adults: a systematic literature review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.Nutr Rev.(2018-Jun-01)
  38. C-Reactive Protein (CRP) - Romero-Ferreiro V, García-Fernández L, Biscaia JM, Romero C, González-Soltero R, De la Fuente M, Álvarez-Mon MA, Wynn R, Rodriguez-Jimenez REffect of probiotics on C-reactive protein levels in schizophrenia: Evidence from a systematic review and meta-analysis.Complement Ther Med.(2025 May)
  39. Total cholesterol - Blais JE, Huang X, Zhao JVOverall and Sex-Specific Effect of Berberine for the Treatment of Dyslipidemia in Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trials.Drugs.(2023-Apr)