Schizophrenia is one of the most misunderstood mental health disorders in many communities. Often dismissed as witchcraft or demonic possession, the condition quietly affects hundreds of thousands of people, yet remains shrouded in stigma and misinformation.
Schizophrenia is characterised by distortions in thinking, perception, emotions, language, sense of self, and behaviour. Common experiences include hallucinations, where individuals hear voices or see things that are not there, and delusions, which are false beliefs that are firmly held despite evidence to the contrary.
This disorder can severely impair personal, family, social, educational, and occupational functioning. People living with schizophrenia face significant stigma, discrimination, and frequent violations of their human rights, which further isolate them from society.
Schizophrenia is a chronic psychotic disorder marked by disruptions in thought processes, perceptions, emotional responsiveness, and social interactions. The hallmark symptoms, such as hallucinations and delusions, distort a person’s understanding of reality. For example, some individuals may hear cruel voices commenting on their actions or have entire imaginary conversations. Others might withdraw emotionally and struggle to connect socially.
Hallucinations involve perceiving things that are not present such as hearing voices no one else can hear or feeling sensations without physical causes. Delusions involve false, deeply held beliefs, such as believing one is being monitored through implanted devices or that others are plotting to cause harm, despite clear evidence disproving these beliefs.
Schizophrenia typically begins during adolescence or early adulthood, most commonly between the ages of 15 and 25, with a second peak of onset around age 40. However, due to lack of awareness, diagnosis often comes years after symptoms first appear.
Globally, schizophrenia affects about one percent of the population. Applying this estimate to a country with a population of 58 million means approximately 580,000 people may be living with schizophrenia or related psychotic disorders. Many remain undiagnosed and untreated, a situation worsened by stigma and misinformation.
Schizophrenia is among the leading causes of disability worldwide. People with the disorder tend to have shorter lifespans, often due to preventable physical diseases. The causes are multifactorial, involving a mix of genetic, biological, and environmental factors. Genetics plays a significant role; those with a family history have an increased risk. Brain development abnormalities, especially in neural connections, also contribute, while environmental and social factors such as high stress, poor family support, or traumatic events can trigger or worsen symptoms.
Supportive environments are crucial as they can delay symptom onset, reduce severity, and significantly improve outcomes. Early warning signs include social withdrawal, decline in academic or job performance, and unusual beliefs or behaviours.
Diagnosis relies on careful clinical assessment. Treatment is a combination of medication, psychotherapy, and social support. Antipsychotic medications help suppress hallucinations and delusions, while psychological interventions assist patients in distinguishing delusional thoughts from reality.
Family and social support are vital for helping patients adhere to treatment and reintegrate into society. In severe cases where medication alone is insufficient, procedures like electroconvulsive therapy and other neurostimulation techniques may be employed to regulate abnormal electrical activity in the brain and reduce symptoms.
Resources for schizophrenia care are limited but gradually growing. Specialized hospitals offer a range of treatments, and some public hospitals are integrating mental health care into their services. However, access remains uneven, especially in rural areas, due to a shortage of mental health professionals including psychiatrists, psychologists, and psychiatric social workers.
Treatment is costly, requiring ongoing medical care, therapy, and sometimes social rehabilitation. The conversation around mental health should shift from questioning the expense of treatment to considering who should bear the cost. Government investment, strengthened insurance schemes, and public health funding are essential to ease the financial burden on patients and their families.
Stigma continues to be a major barrier. In many communities, unusual behavior is attributed to witchcraft or curses. Awareness and education are key: these are real medical conditions that require professional mental health care, not traditional healing. Delayed treatment can cause irreversible brain damage, worsening long-term outcomes. For example, untreated students who drop out of school due to symptoms may find it difficult or impossible to catch up academically later.
Improving mental health outcomes calls for public education campaigns to demystify schizophrenia, early detection through community awareness and screening, investment in mental health infrastructure especially at county levels and expanding the mental health workforce to underserved areas.
People with schizophrenia are not broken or lost. With the right treatment and support, they can live full, productive lives. But to achieve this, society must act early, treat individuals with dignity, and build systems that work for everyone.
