schizophrenia

[ skit-suh-free-nee-uh, -freen-yuh ]

noun

1. Psychiatry. a spectrum of mental disorders characterized by emotional blunting, intellectual deterioration, social isolation, disorganized speech and behavior, delusions, hallucinations, or a combination of any of these symptoms. Formerly dementia praecox.
2. Sometimes Offensive. a state characterized by the coexistence of contradictory or incompatible elements.

schizophrenia

/ ˌskɪtsəʊˈfriːnɪə /

noun

1. any of a group of psychotic disorders characterized by progressive deterioration of the personality, withdrawal from reality, hallucinations, delusions, social apathy, emotional instability, etc See catatonia hebephrenia paranoia
2. informal.
   behaviour that appears to be motivated by contradictory or conflicting principles

schizophrenia

/ skĭt′sə-frē′nē-ə,skĭt′sə- /

1. Any of a group of psychiatric disorders characterized by withdrawal from reality, illogical patterns of thinking, delusions, hallucinations, and psychotic behavior. Schizophrenia is associated with an imbalance of the neurotransmitter dopamine in the brain and may have an underlying genetic cause.

schizophrenia

1. A form of psychosis marked by a strong tendency to dissociate oneself from reality. Schizophrenia is often characterized by hallucinations , delusions , and inappropriate reactions to situations. The word schizophrenia is often used informally as well as scientifically to indicate a split personality .

Other Words From

• schiz·o·phren·ic [skit-s, uh, -, fren, -ik], adjective noun
• non·schiz·o·phren·ic adjective
• un·schiz·o·phren·ic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of schizophrenia¹

First recorded in 1910–15; schizo- + -phrenia

Word History and Origins

Origin of schizophrenia¹

C20: from schizo- + Greek phrēn mind + -ia

Example Sentences

Dr. Cheer's previous work published in the journal Nature Neuroscience found prenatal exposure to THC makes the brain's dopamine neurons hyperactive, which may contribute to an increased risk of psychiatric disorders like schizophrenia.

From Science Daily

The New South Wales Coroner's Court heard on Tuesday that Cauchi, 40, was knife-obsessed and had been diagnosed with schizophrenia, but had come off his medication and was homeless at the time of the incident.

From BBC

In her years working on Skid Row, Wong said, she saw that newly housed clients might see their symptoms of paranoia or schizophrenia subside only to suffer a new bout of depression.

From Los Angeles Times

Jail medical staff had treated Solis for schizophrenia, including with antipsychotic medication.

From Los Angeles Times

"We deal with those people very gently and explore mental health issues with them because very often people who are hearing voices will be suffering from schizophrenia or another psychiatric problem."

From BBC