Schizophrenia is a severe mental disorder in which people interpret reality abnormally. Schizophrenia may result in some combination of hallucinations, delusions, and extremely disordered thinking and behavior that impairs daily functioning, and can be disabling.
The causes of schizophrenia, like all mental disorders, are not completely understood or known at this time. There is no known single cause of schizophrenia. Many diseases result from interplay of genetic, behavioral and other factors, and this may be the case for schizophrenia as well.
Symptoms of Schizophrenia vary and may include:
- Depression, social withdrawal
- Hostility or suspiciousness, extreme reaction to criticism
- Deterioration of personal hygiene
- Flat, expressionless gaze
- Inability to cry or express joy or inappropriate laughter or crying
- Oversleeping or insomnia; forgetful, unable to concentrate
- Odd or irrational statements; strange use of words or way of speaking
This is a schizophrenia study. Please contact Lehigh Center for Clinical Research for details.
