Schizophrenia Medical Reference
- The Link Between Smoking and Schizophrenia
Rates of cigarette smoking are high among people with schizophrenia. Find out why that might be and how to stop.
- Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) for Schizophrenia
TMS uses harmless magnetic stimulation to change how your brain works. But does it help with schizophrenia? Here’s what we know.
- Schizophrenia: What Are Your Legal Rights?
The legal rights of people with schizophrenia. Learn more about mental health rights.
- How to Keep Track of Your Schizophrenia
Self-monitoring, or keeping tabs on your well-being, when you have schizophrenia, is an important tool. Here are some tips on how to handle tracking your health.
- Schizophrenia: Hearing Voices and How to Manage Them
Hearing voices is one of the common symptoms of schizophrenia. Learn how to lessen their impact on your day-to-day life.
- Who Gets Schizophrenia? By Age, Sex, and More
Here’s a closer look at who this mental illness tends to impact.
- Schizophrenia in the Prison System
Why do so many people with schizophrenia end up in prison, and what can be done to help them break the cycle of incarceration?
- How Does Schizophrenia Change With Age?
Most people with schizophrenia are diagnosed before age 40. Learn how this condition changes with age and how to adapt your treatment strategy over time.
- What Is First-Episode Psychosis?
First-episode psychosis is a mental state in which you lose contact with reality. Learn how common it is, the warning signs, and how it can be treated.
- How Do Social Determinants of Health Affect Schizophrenia?
Social determinants of mental health refer to some of the conditions in the area that you live. Learn about how these affect schizophrenia.
- Schizophrenia and Diabetes
People with schizophrenia have an even higher than average risk of developing diabetes. Find out why and what you can do to protect your health.
- Help for a Mental Health Crisis Without Calling the Police
When your loved one has schizophrenia, learn where to find help and plan for a mental health crisis to avoid calling the police.
- How Are Schizophrenia and Heart Disease Related?
People with schizophrenia are more likely to have coronary heart disease. Find out why and how to manage it.
- Schizophrenia and Substance Use Disorder: What to Know
People with schizophrenia have much higher rates of substance abuse than the general population. Learn about treatments and theories for the link.
- Serotonin-Dopamine Activity Modulators (SDAMs) for Schizophrenia
Serotonin-dopamine activity modulators (SDAMs) may improve psychiatric symptoms by helping control the activity of serotonin and dopamine, two neurotransmitters that help manage mood and emotions.
- Understanding and Managing Paranoia
Paranoia is a mental health condition that makes you constantly suspicious, fearful, and anxious. Find out how to manage paranoia with therapy, medications, better sleep, and exercise.
- Clinical Trials for Schizophrenia
Clinical trials are how researchers find out whether new drugs and other therapies are safe and effective. Find out what’s new in schizophrenia treatment.
- Schizophrenia and Food: Do Keto and Gluten-Free Diets Help?
Can keto or gluten-free diets help people with schizophrenia? New research suggests these diets could help, but more studies are needed. Learn the facts.
- Schizophrenia: What Is Assertive Community Treatment (ACT)?
ACT, a team-based treatment program for people with schizophrenia, cuts down homelessness and hospitalization. Learn about this community-focused model.
- Do Mind-Body Therapies for Schizophrenia Work?
If you have schizophrenia, do mind-body therapies such as meditation or yoga work? Find out what research shows.
- Schizophrenia, Family Planning, and Pregnancy: What to Know
When you have schizophrenia, there’s a lot to consider before you decide to have a baby. Learn what it means for your medicines and mental health.
- Dopamine Partial Agonists for Schizophrenia
These antipsychotic drugs work by balancing levels of dopamine and serotonin in your brain. Find out if they might be right for you.
- Schizophrenia Diagnosis and Treatment in Black People
Black people in the U.S. are more likely to be diagnosed with schizophrenia than white people. Learn more about why this might be.
- How Does Schizophrenia Affect Hispanic and Latin American People?
Hispanic and Latin American people with schizophrenia respond as well to treatment as anyone else. Yet stigma, language barriers, and even family can get in the way.
- What Is Treatment-Resistant Schizophrenia?
Antipsychotic drugs don’t work for some people with schizophrenia. Learn more about what their options are.
- What to Know About Hospitalization for Schizophrenia Against Your Will
Are you or a loved one facing hospitalization for schizophrenia despite not wanting it? Here's what you need to know about your rights and resources for help.
- Exercise and Schizophrenia: What’s the Link?
With schizophrenia, you’re at risk for physical health conditions. Alongside medications and psychotherapy, exercise can improve life with schizophrenia.
- Finding and Keeping a Job With Schizophrenia
If you have schizophrenia, it can be challenging to hold a job. Here’s how to find and keep employment.
- The Stigma Surrounding Schizophrenia
Stigma against schizophrenia and other mental illnesses persists around the world. Here’s what that prejudice looks like and what you can do.
- What Are Extrapyramidal Effects?
Extrapyramidal effects are common when taking antipsychotic medications. Learn more about what these side effects are and what you should do about them.
- How to Plan for a Schizophrenia Relapse
This schizophrenia action plan can help you spot the warning signs of psychosis and reach out for help.
- Conditions You Might Have With Schizophrenia
Most people with schizophrenia have at least one other mental health disorder. Here are some symptoms to look for, and the treatments you might need.
- Complications That Can Happen With Schizophrenia
Learn what can happen when schizophrenia isn't properly treated.
- The Costs of Schizophrenia
Get an overview of the types of expenses for people with schizophrenia, including medications, therapy, and hospital care when needed -- and what may help manage those costs.
- What Types of Therapy Treat Schizophrenia?
Schizophrenia is a complex illness. Learn how different therapies can help with your symptoms.
- Conditions That Can Seem Like Schizophrenia
Other conditions can have symptoms similar to schizophrenia. Learn what they are, how they are different, and how to get the right diagnosis.
- When Schizophrenia Flares Up
If you or a loved one is living with schizophrenia, you know that the symptoms may worsen at times. While no one wants to think about being in crisis, it’s important to prepare for what you’ll do. Having a plan will let you quickly and safely get help.
- Latest Schizophrenia Research
Scientific research is offering new insight into schizophrenia and its causes, diagnosis, and treatment.
- Live-In Treatment for Schizophrenia
People who have schizophrenia may get help in a live-in treatment facility if they’re not ready to live on their own. This is a place you stay where you can focus on your mental health through regular, structured care, often for a set amount of time.
- How to Stick With Your Schizophrenia Meds
For people with schizophrenia, taking medication is an important part of their treatment. Learn tips and strategies on how to stick with the meds your doctor has prescribed to treat your condition.
- Hospital Schizophrenia Treatment: What to Expect
Learn about how different types of hospital stays can help you manage your schizophrenia.
- When Schizophrenia Appears
Whether you have schizophrenia or you’re supporting someone who does, starting treatment right away can help. The key is to work closely with the doctor right after diagnosis.
- Schizophrenia and Your Genes
Schizophrenia is a type of psychosis, which means you can't always tell the difference between what is real and what is a thought inside your head. It sometimes runs in families, and experts say part of the reason may lie with your genes.
- What Are the Phases of Schizophrenia?
Learn about the phases of schizophrenia, including their symptomsand treatment.
- What Is Waxy Flexibility?
Learn about waxy flexibility, a condition that makes it hard to move your limbs.
- What Is Cotard's Syndrome (Walking Corpse Syndrome)?
People with Cotard's syndrome believe that parts of their body are missing, or that they are dying, dead, or don’t exist. Learn more.
- What Causes Agitation?
We’ve all been agitated, but sometimes, a medical condition can cause agitation. Learn more.
- Antipsychotics and Weight Gain
Learn which antipsychotics can cause weight gain.
- What Is Catatonic Schizophrenia?
This article describes catatonic schizophrenia, what causes it, and how it is treated.