DISEASE SCANNER

Global Incurable Diseases Tracker

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Psychiatric Condition

Schizophrenia

HIGH SEVERITY

Severe chronic mental disorder characterized by disruptions in thought processes, perceptions, emotional responsiveness, and social interactions. Involves positive symptoms (hallucinations, delusions), negative symptoms (apathy, withdrawal), and cognitive impairment.

Global Affected

24.0M

Countries

111

Symptoms

Hallucinations (auditory most common)
Delusions (persecutory, grandiose)
Disorganized speech
Disorganized behavior
Negative symptoms (flat affect, avolition)
Cognitive impairment
Social withdrawal
Lack of insight
Impaired executive function

Treatment Options

Antipsychotic medications
Psychosocial interventions
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
Family therapy
Supported employment/education
Assertive community treatment
Clozapine (treatment-resistant)
Long-acting injectable antipsychotics
ECT (rarely)

Risk Factors

1Family history
2Genetic variants (GWAS identified 100+ loci)
3Advanced paternal age
4Prenatal factors (infection, malnutrition, stress)
5Urban birth/upbringing
6Cannabis use (especially high-potency)
7Childhood trauma
8Immune system dysfunction

Diagnostic Methods

  • 1Clinical interview (DSM-5 criteria)
  • 2Mental status examination
  • 3Psychiatric history
  • 4Physical exam (rule out organic causes)
  • 5Laboratory tests
  • 6Brain imaging (CT/MRI - rule out)
  • 7Neuropsychological testing

Prognosis

Variable; 20-30% achieve full recovery. 50% have fluctuating course. 20-30% severe chronic impairment. 10-15% die by suicide. Lifespan reduced by 15-20 years. Early treatment improves outcomes.

Prevention

  • No proven primary prevention
  • Early detection and intervention
  • Avoiding cannabis (especially in adolescence)
  • Prenatal care optimization
  • Cognitive remediation therapy

Research Status

Second-generation antipsychotics mainstay. Clozapine for treatment-resistant. Long-acting injectables improving adherence. Early intervention programs showing promise. NMDA receptor modulators (investigational). Brain stimulation (TMS). Digital therapeutics emerging.

Affected Countries

United StatesUnited KingdomCanadaAustraliaGermanyFranceItalySpainJapanChinaIndiaBrazilRussiaSwedenNetherlandsBelgiumSwitzerlandAustriaDenmarkNorwayFinlandPolandCzech RepublicHungaryRomaniaBulgariaCroatiaSloveniaSlovakiaLTLVEEIrelandPortugalGreeceCYMTLUIcelandNew ZealandSouth KoreaSingaporeTaiwanHong KongMalaysiaThailandVietnamIndonesiaPhilippinesSouth AfricaNigeriaEgyptTurkeyIranSaudi ArabiaUAEQatarKuwaitOmanJordanLebanonSyriaYemenIraqAfghanistanPakistanBangladeshLKNPMMKHLAMNKazakhstanUzbekistanTMKGTJAzerbaijanAMGEUkraineBelarusMDALBAMEMKSerbiaXKMexicoArgentinaChileColombiaPeruVenezuelaEcuadorUYPYBOCRPAGuatemalaHNSVNIBZJMHaitiDominican RepublicCuba

Sources

  • https://www.cdc.gov/
  • https://www.hematology.org/education/patients
  • https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books
  • https://rarediseases.org/rare-diseases

Medical Disclaimer

This information is for educational purposes only. Always consult healthcare professionals for medical advice, diagnosis, and treatment.