Schizophrenia & Psychosis
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What is it?
Psychosis refers to a set of symptoms where a person’s thoughts and perceptions become disconnected from reality. It can occur as part of several conditions — most notably schizophrenia, but also in severe depression, bipolar disorder, or as a result of substance use or medical illness.
Schizophrenia itself is a chronic condition involving psychosis alongside changes in thinking, emotion, and motivation.
With consistent treatment, many people with schizophrenia lead stable, fulfilling lives — but it requires ongoing psychiatric care, and interruptions to treatment are one of the biggest risk factors for relapse.
Common signs & symptoms
- Hallucinations — seeing, hearing, or sensing things that others don’t
- Delusions — strongly held beliefs that aren’t based in reality and don’t change with contrary evidence
- Disorganised thinking or speech, difficulty following a train of thought
- Reduced emotional expression, motivation, or social withdrawal
- Difficulty distinguishing between what is real and what is not, particularly during acute episodes
What it is not
Schizophrenia is not the same as having “multiple personalities”, and it is not caused by weak character or upbringing. It’s a brain-based condition.
And contrary to common stigma, most people with schizophrenia are not violent — they are far more likely to be victims of harm than perpetrators of it.
When to seek help
Early intervention significantly improves long-term outcomes. If someone is experiencing hallucinations, strong fixed beliefs that seem disconnected from reality, or a marked change in thinking and functioning, a psychiatric evaluation is important — ideally as early as possible.
How diagnosis works
Diagnosis is made through a comprehensive psychiatric evaluation, often involving structured clinical interviews and, at times, input from family. There is no single self-report questionnaire used to diagnose schizophrenia, given its complexity.
How to get help
For this condition especially, we’d encourage connecting with a psychiatrist — not only a psychologist — for evaluation and, typically, ongoing medication management alongside therapy and family support.
This page is for general awareness and is not a diagnostic tool. Only a qualified professional can diagnose schizophrenia or a psychotic disorder. This platform does not provide emergency or diagnostic services — see our full Disclaimer.