In 1908 Eugen Bleuler coined the term “Schizophrenia”. Schizomeans split and phren means mind. It means
disorganised personality. Schizophrenia is a debilitating mental illness that affects 1% of the population in all
cultures. It effects equal number of men and women but the onset is often later in women than in men. Schizophrenia
is characterized by positive and negative symptoms. Positive symptoms include hallucinations, voices that Converse
with or about the patient and delusions that are often paranoid. Negative symptoms include flattened effect, loss
of sense of pleasure, loss of will or drive and social withdrawal. Both type of symptoms effects patient’s families
therefore, it is important for physician to provide guidance to all persons affected by the disease. Psychosocial and
family interventions can improve outcomes. Medications can control symptoms but virtually all antipsychotics have
neurologic or physical side effects (example weight gain, hypercholesterolemia, diabetes). There is 10% lifetime risk
of suicide in patients with schizophrenia.
Keywords: Schizophrenia; Hallucinations; Religiosity; Waxy flexibility.