You may have heard about schizophrenia, but do you really know what it is?

Schizophrenia is a long-term and serious mental health issue. It affects a person’s thoughts, feelings and actions. Below are some common warning signs of the issue that can happen between the ages of 16 and 30.

A person may:

 “Lose touch” with reality 

• Hear, see, feel, smell or taste things that aren’t real
• Believe things that are not real
• Become paranoid, like believing someone is plotting against them or trying to harm them

Have changes in normal feelings and actions

• Speak less
• Find no joy in everyday life
• Express fewer feelings
• Avoid social settings

Show changes in memory and thinking

• Lack focus or be unable to pay attention
• Forget things 
• Have trouble making decisions

What Are Some Causes?

Schizophrenia can be caused by many factors. It may be part of one’s genetics or part of changes in the brain between birth and puberty. Other things can also play a role:

• Causes related to the person’s environment. Viruses, poor nutrition before birth and problems during birth have all been linked to the condition.
• Family history. Research shows genes play a part, but there is no one gene that causes the health issue by itself.
• Brain structure and function. The size of the brain and the connections between certain brain areas can be a factor. Problems in these areas may happen before birth.
• Changes to chemical messengers in the brain.

How Can I Help Someone?

Giving care and support to a loved one with schizophrenia can be hard. It may be tough to know how to react to someone with symptoms you may not fully understand.

Help your loved one see a mental health provider. Treatment may include one or more of these forms of help:

• Psychosocial care
• Medication
• Coordinated specialty care
  • Specialty care combines medicine, treatment and case management with family support and education. For more information, go to NIMH Recovery After an Initial Schizophrenia Episode .

The mental health provider will suggest the right levels of care based on the patient’s needs.

Keep in mind, a person with schizophrenia fully believes their thoughts or perceived senses are very real. Their illness is caused by a complex brain disorder that they have no control over.

Above all, be kind and treat them with respect. It is okay to offer support, but do not stand for unsafe or inappropriate actions. A caregiver support group can help you cope.

Source: Recovery After an Initial Schizophrenia Episode (RAISE),  National Institute of Mental Health, 2022; Schizophrenia,  National Institute of Mental Health, 2024; , Schizophrenia,  Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 2023