Schizophrenia onset is usually in early adulthood and may be preceded by years of ill-differentiated symptoms, from behavioural changes and delusions to frank psychosis.

Initially, patients are usually referred by family members. As the illness progresses, patients tend to self-refer or are brought in by a case manager or law enforcement officer.

Antipsychotic therapy and psychosocial interventions are effective for most patients, but to varying degrees.

Adrian Preda, Professor of Clinical Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, University of California, Irvine School of Medicine, tells us more about the condition.

For more on schizophrenia, visit BMJ Best Practice: bestpractice.bmj.com/topics/en-gb/406

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