Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia is a complex psychiatric condition characterized by a plethora of symptoms that affects the way a person perceives reality, thinks, acts, expresses emotions, and relates to others. Often the term “psychosis” is used as a synonym for schizophrenia, in particular after the first manifestation of the disorder. While schizophrenia is often limited to one psychotic episode only (ca. 25% of cases), it frequently expresses recurrent episodes of the disease (ca. 45%). In more severe courses, it may be associated with lasting significant distress and impairment in personal, family, social, educational, occupational, and other important areas of life.

It affects approximately 24 million people or at least 1 in 300 people (0.32%) worldwide (WHO, 2022). However, this number may only reflect a third of the population experiencing schizophrenia-like psychotic symptoms.