Illnesses & Conditions
Information on diseases and health concerns, including symptoms, treatment options, and prevention.

Schizophrenia

When to Call a Doctor

Call 911 or other emergency services if you (or someone you care about who has schizophrenia):

• Are thinking about suicide or are threatening suicide.
• Hear voices that tell you to hurt yourself or someone else or to do something illegal, such as destroy property or steal.
• Notice warning signs of violence towards others, such as thinking or talking about harming someone or becoming aggressive.

Call a doctor if you (or someone you care about who has schizophrenia):

• Have a sudden change in behavior, such as refusing to eat because you think someone has poisoned your food.
• Have experiences that don't usually occur, such as hearing someone calling your name when no one is there.
• Have a hard time taking care of basic needs, such as grooming, or become confused doing simple chores or tasks.
• Show warning signs of suicide, such as talking about death or spending long periods of time alone.
• Show signs of schizophrenia, such as talking to people who are not present or believing things that you know are false.
• Show the first signs of relapse, such as finding it hard to focus or withdrawing from other people.

Early signs

Early signs of schizophrenia include doing worse in school or at work, thinking that people are out to get you, or having changes in your thoughts or feelings or attitudes, such as not wanting to see other people.

These signs don't mean you have schizophrenia. Many of the symptoms of schizophrenia can be caused by other things, such as other medical problems, stress, grief, medicine side effects, or lack of sleep.

If schizophrenia-like symptoms last longer than 1 week, or if they interfere with your life, talk with a doctor about your concerns. If you have schizophrenia or another problem, early diagnosis and treatment may make treatment more successful.

If you need help deciding whether to see your doctor, read about some of the reasons people don't get help and how to overcome them.

Who can treat schizophrenia?

Health professionals who can help diagnose schizophrenia or who may work together with other health professionals to treat schizophrenia include:

• General practitioners.
• Family medicine physicians.
• Internists.
• Neurologists.
• Psychiatrists.
• Psychologists.
• Physician assistants.
• Nurse practitioners.
• Social workers.

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