Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia is the most serious and disabling of all mental disorders, affecting just under 1 % of the population. While its etiological bases remain obscure and consequently its nosological boundaries are uncertain, the condition classically has its onset in childhood or early adolescence [1]. It is characterized by (1) “positive” psychotic symptoms like delusions (fi xed false ideas that are held with unshakable conviction), hallucinations (perceptions without a stimulus), and thought disorder (diffi culty in assembling a coherent stream of speech); (2) socalled negative symptoms like lack of motivation and pleasure, inability of expressing the full range of emotions, neglect of personal appearance, and disinterest in life events; and (3) cognitive impairment (memory and attention diffi culties) [2]. All of these attributes, persistent over time, culminate in a decline in social and occupational performance. These features–coupled with the consequences of sustained impairment–result in comorbid depression (see chapter “Major depressive disorder”) among people with schizophrenia. Approximately 50 % of patients attempt and about 4 % of patients commit suicide. Schizophrenia is poorly understood by the public, and it is often highly stigmatizing [3].