All Conditions

Schizophrenia.

A condition that alters perception, thought and connection to reality.

Schizophrenia is a mental health condition that is commonly known by the presence of hallucinations and delusions. These are the “positive” symptoms of schizophrenia, whereby the individual experiences a marked change in behavior and thoughts. Hallucinations are a sensory phenomenon where the individual sees, hears, smells or tastes things that are not apparent to anyone else, and do not exist outside their mind. Whereas a delusion is an unshakeable belief that can not be challenged even if it is completely unrealistic and evidence is provided that should disprove the belief. A person experiencing paranoid delusions may be completely convinced that they are being plotted against or persecuted, while someone with grandiose delusions may believe that they are excessively famous, intelligent or have been granted special powers. In addition to these positive symptoms, schizophrenia is also marked by negative symptoms, where people may begin to avoid people, stop taking interest in the world around them and appear emotionless and withdrawn.

When to seek help

If you suspect that you or a loved one is experiencing hallucinations and/or delusions, it is important to seek help immediately. Early intervention can help manage this condition in time. Oftentimes, people struggling with schizophrenia will not seek help on their own, which makes it necessary for their friends and family to step in and help them seek treatment.

How we can help

Common questions

Is schizophrenia the same as multiple personality disorder?
They are entirely different conditions. The popular conflation comes from the literal Greek meaning of 'schizophrenia' (a 'split mind'), but in psychiatric terms the 'split' refers to a disconnection between thought, emotion, and reality, not to multiple identities. What people usually mean by 'multiple personalities' is dissociative identity disorder (DID), a different and rarer condition with a different cause (typically severe early childhood trauma) and a different treatment. Schizophrenia is a primary psychotic disorder, and DID is a dissociative disorder.
Can someone with schizophrenia live a normal life?
Yes, with consistent treatment, although outcomes vary widely. Some people experience a single episode and recover fully. Others have a chronic course with periods of stability and periods of relapse. With consistent antipsychotic medication, psychosocial support, and family involvement, many people work, study, marry, and raise children [1]. Early intervention substantially improves long-term outcomes, which is why getting treatment after the first episode matters more than waiting to see whether symptoms resolve on their own.
Are antipsychotic medications safe long-term?
Antipsychotics are effective, and for most people with schizophrenia they are necessary, but they do have meaningful side effects. These include weight gain, metabolic changes, sedation, movement effects (more common with first-generation antipsychotics), and rarely tardive dyskinesia. Modern second-generation antipsychotics (olanzapine, risperidone, aripiprazole, paliperidone) have a friendlier movement profile but a worse metabolic one. Long-acting injectable formulations help with adherence, which is the single biggest predictor of staying well [2]. The trade-offs are real, but for most people with schizophrenia the alternative of repeated relapse and untreated illness carries higher risks than the medications themselves.
My family member is in a psychotic episode and refuses treatment. What do I do?
This is a genuinely difficult situation for families. People in active psychosis often lack insight into their illness, which is itself a symptom of the illness rather than a choice. The most useful first step is to contact a psychiatrist who is familiar with the case (or any psychiatrist if there is no existing one) and describe the symptoms honestly and in detail. In Pakistan, involuntary admission requires specific legal procedures and is generally treated as a last resort. While you are arranging help, it is important to stay calm, avoid arguing about the content of delusions, prioritise the safety of everyone present, and reach out to a mental health professional rather than try to manage the situation alone.