Background
Description of the condition
Schizophrenia is a serious mental illness affecting one per cent of the population, irrespective of culture, class or race. The illness varies in its severity and in the variety of its symptoms. Every year one person per 10,000 begins to fall ill with schizophrenia, making it about twice as common as epilepsy (APA 1995). The first episode of schizophrenia often occurs when a person is in their early twenties (WHO 1973) and the course of the illness is variable. Many people experience considerable disability and there is a substantial increase in mortality (Drake 1986). Some people have difficulties with their thoughts, making illogical associations and developing false and sometimes bizarre explanations (i.e., delusions) for their experiences or symptoms. Problems with false perceptions may occur, for example, hearing voices or seeing visions (hallucinations). Difficulties with concentration, attention and motivation may also lead to poor social and occupational functioning. The range of emotional expression, capacity to think and act may be reduced, together with an inability to experience pleasure. It is customary to view the symptoms of schizophrenia as falling into two broad categories: (i) 'positive' symptoms, which are unusual by their presence (for example, hearing voices); and (ii) 'negative' symptoms, which are unusual by their absence (for example, restricted range and intensity of emotional expression).