psychiatric disorders
Schizophrenia
Key Points
Schizophrenia is characterized by psychosis, hallucinations, delusions, disorganized speech and behavior, flattened affect, cognitive deficits, and occupational and social dysfunction. Suicide is the most common cause of premature death. Threats of violence and minor aggressive outbursts are more common than seriously dangerous behavior, but such behavior may be more common in people with paranoid psychosis who abuse drugs. Treat with antipsychotic drugs early, basing selection primarily on adverse effect profile, required route of administration, and the patient’s previous response to the drug. Psychotherapy helps patients understand and manage their illness, take drugs as prescribed, and handle stress more effectively. With treatment, one third of patients achieve significant and lasting improvement; one third improve somewhat but have intermittent relapses and residual disability; and one third are severely incapacitated. 