Category FAQs Search : Schizophrenia
Question: Key facts of Schizophrenia
Answer: - Schizophrenia is a chronic and severe mental disorder affecting 20 million people worldwide (1).
- Schizophrenia is characterized by distortions in thinking, perception, emotions, language, sense of self and behaviour. Common experiences include hallucinations (hearing voices or seeing things that are not there) and delusions (fixed, false beliefs).
- Worldwide, schizophrenia is associated with considerable disability and may affect educational and occupational performance.
- People with schizophrenia are 2-3 times more likely to die early than the general population (2). This is often due to preventable physical diseases, such as cardiovascular disease, metabolic disease and infections.
- Stigma, discrimination and violation of human rights of people with schizophrenia is common.
- Schizophrenia is treatable. Treatment with medicines and psychosocial support is effective.
- Facilitation of assisted living, supported housing and supported employment are effective management strategies for people with schizophrenia.
(Source: World Health Organization , 11 May 2021)
Source Link: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/schizophrenia