Schizophrenia is typically diagnosed in the late teens years to early thirties, and tends to emerge earlier in males (late adolescence – early twenties) than females (early twenties – early thirties). More subtle changes in cognition and social relationships may precede the actual diagnosis, often by years.
You are more likely to have schizophrenia if you have a parent or sibling who has experienced psychosis. Researchers aren't yet sure why but they think that some genes might make it more likely. Living in certain environments seems to increase your risk of schizophrenia too.
With a dedication to ongoing treatment, often beginning with intensive residential care, most individuals can live normal or almost-normal lives. Most patients will get better but still have occasional episodes, but about 20 percent will recover within five years.
Numerous studies over decades have shown that Black Americans are diagnosed at higher rates of schizophrenia than White Americans.
Prevalence By Country
The country with the highest prevalence of schizophrenia is Indonesia, with a total of 829,735 people with the disorder.
Results concluded that Latino Americans where more than three times more likely to be diagnosed with Schizophrenia than Euro-Americans. However, Minsky et al[19] explained that African Americans continued to reflect being most strongly diagnosed with schizophrenia, which is four times more likely than Euro-Americans.
Most people with schizophrenia are never violent and indeed do not display any dangerous behaviour. However a small number do become violent when they are suffering from the acute symptoms of psychosis because of the influence of the hallucinations and delusions on their thinking.
Residual Stage
This is known as the final stage of schizophrenia. These symptoms are very similar to those of the prodromal stage. Patients in this stage are often not seen to be psychotic, but their symptoms shift from positive to negative (i.e. they take something away from the person).
The exact causes of schizophrenia are unknown. Research suggests a combination of physical, genetic, psychological and environmental factors can make a person more likely to develop the condition. Some people may be prone to schizophrenia, and a stressful or emotional life event might trigger a psychotic episode.
Someone might see lights, objects, people, or patterns. Often it's loved ones or friends who are no longer alive. They may also have trouble with depth perception and distance.
Common early signs of schizophrenia vary by age group and include: Young children: Delayed development. Older kids and teens: Depression, isolation, behavioral problems (e.g., stealing) or changes (e.g., bizarre or unusual thoughts or actions), and trouble focusing.
Some people do recover “fully” from schizophrenia. Ten years after diagnosis: 50% of people with schizophrenia recover or improve to the point they can work and live on their own. 25% are better but need help from a strong support network to get by.
The peak age of onset of schizophrenia is 15 – 25 years in men and 20 – 30 years in women. It is often preceded by a prodromal phase of vague symptoms, some odd behaviours and a decline in functioning at school or work and interpersonally.
Prodromal stage
It occurs before noticeable psychotic symptoms appear. During this stage, a person undergoes behavioral and cognitive changes that can, in time, progress to psychosis. The early stage of schizophrenia usually involves non-specific symptoms that also occur in other mental illnesses, such as depression.
On average, the age of onset for schizophrenia is the late teens to early 30s, according to the NIMH . If left untreated, schizophrenia can worsen at any age, especially if you continue to experience episodes and symptoms.
Newman adds that with support, parents with schizophrenia can provide for their children by working, as well as teaching and loving them just like parents without mental health conditions.
Marriage and schizophrenia
Whether a person should marry or not while suffering from schizophrenia is an individualistic decision and no mental health care expert will tell you to stop from tying the knot with a trusted and compassionate companion. However, it is necessary to know the pros and cons of the marriage.
Never tell your loved one that their symptoms are “not true,” “not real,” “imaginary,” or all in their head. Aim to be nonjudgmental. Try to avoid judgment or negativity about their experiences or perceptions. Don't pressure them to talk.
Focus on feelings, not experiences
You might feel unsure what to say or do when someone sees or believes something you don't – but it's important to remember that their experiences feel real to them. It can help if you focus on how they are feeling, rather than talking about what is real or true.
In most people with schizophrenia, symptoms generally start in the mid- to late 20s, though it can start later, up to the mid-30s. Schizophrenia is considered early onset when it starts before the age of 18. Onset of schizophrenia in children younger than age 13 is extremely rare.
Can You Get Schizophrenia without Family History? Yes. Four out of five people with the condition don't have a family history of it. Even when family members possess the same genes or genetic variations, that may not lead to all of them developing the same conditions.
You're more likely to get schizophrenia if someone in your family has it. If it's a parent, brother, or sister, your chances go up by 10%. If both your parents have it, you have a 40% chance of getting it.