Schizophrenia – Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment

Medically reviewed

Guga Sikharulidze

·

Psychiatrist, Doctor of Academic Sciences

Last updated: 14 February, 2026

What is schizophrenia?

Schizophrenia is a severe mental disorder that affects a person’s thinking, perception, emotions, and behavior. The condition usually begins in late adolescence or early adulthood and is characterized by a chronic course.

It is important to understand that schizophrenia does not mean a “split personality.” Schizophrenia is a medical condition that can be effectively managed with modern medication-based treatment.

Symptoms of schizophrenia

Positive symptoms

Hallucinations — most commonly auditory hallucinations (hearing voices). Visual, olfactory, or tactile hallucinations may also occur.

Delusional ideas — fixed, false beliefs, such as persecutory delusions, grandiose delusions, or ideas of reference.

Disorganized thinking — speech becomes incoherent, and logical connections are lost.

Negative symptoms

Emotional blunting — facial expressions become reduced, and emotional reactions diminish.

Anhedonia — loss of the ability to experience pleasure. This symptom is also characteristic of depression.

Social withdrawal and abulia — loss of motivation and lack of initiative.

Cognitive symptoms

Difficulty concentrating attention, memory problems, and impaired ability to plan and organize.

Causes of schizophrenia

Genetic factors — hereditary predisposition plays an important role.

Neurochemical imbalance — disruption of the dopamine and glutamate systems.

Environmental factors — prenatal infections, childhood trauma, early-age cannabis use. [1]

Treatment of schizophrenia

Medication treatment

Antipsychotic medications are the foundation of treatment. Modern pharmacological approaches effectively control the symptoms.

Psychotherapy

Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) helps patients manage delusional ideas and hallucinations, cope with stress, and improve their social skills.

Psychosocial rehabilitation

Social skills training, day center program, family education, and group therapy.

When should you see a psychiatrist?

Seek a psychiatric consultation if you notice unusual beliefs, hearing voices, disorganized thinking, social withdrawal, or paranoid thoughts.

At GSMRC, you will receive a professional diagnostic assessment and an individualized treatment plan.

See also

Psychosis · Paranoia · Depression · Bipolar Disorder

Services: Psychiatrist consultation · Day center · Psychodiagnostics

YouTube: Experts For Mental Health | GSMRC Official

❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

References

1. Marconi A, Di Forti M, Lewis CM, Murray RM, Vassos E. Meta-analysis of the Association Between the Level of Cannabis Use and Risk of Psychosis. Schizophr Bull. 2016;42(5):1262–1269. doi:10.1093/schbul/sbw003