引言
Schizophrenia (/ˌskɪtsɵˈfrɛniə/ or/ˌskɪtsɵˈfriːniə/) is a mental disorder characterized by a breakdown of thought processes and by impaired emotional responses.[1] Common symptoms include delusions, such as paranoid beliefs; hallucinations; disorganized thinking; and negative symptoms, such as lack of emotion and lack of motivation. Schizophrenia causes significant social and vocational dysfunction. Symptom begin typically in young adulthood and about 0.3–0.7% of people are effected during their lifetime.[2] Diagnosis is based on observed behavior and the person’s reported experiences.
思覺失調症（Schizophrenia）為一種心理疾患，特徵是失敗的思考歷程及情緒反應受損[1]，妄想中的被害妄想信念、幻覺及思想紊亂與負面症狀中的缺乏情緒起伏跟缺乏動機也是常見的思覺失調症。
思覺失調症通常造成嚴重的社交失能跟職業失能，耗發於年輕的成人，成年人中約莫 0.3-0.7% 的個體終其一生受到思覺失調症的影響，診斷的方法為行為觀察跟病人的自陳式經驗。
成因
Genetics, early environment, neurobiology, and psychological and social processes appear to be important contributory factors; some recreational and prescription drugs appear to cause or worsen symptoms.
Current research is focused on the role of neurobiology, although no single isolated organic cause has been found. The many possible combinations of symptoms have triggered debate about whether the diagnosis represents a single disorder or a number of discrete syndromes. Despite the origin of the term from the Greek rootsskhizein (σχίζειν, "to split") and phrēn, phren- (φρήν, φρεν-; "mind"), schizophrenia does not imply a "split personality", or "multiple personality disorder" (which is known these days as dissociative identity disorder)—a condition with which it is often confused in public perception.[3] Rather, the term means a "splitting of mental functions", because of the symptomatic presentation of the illness.[4]
The mainstay of treatment is antipsychotic medication, which primarily suppresses dopamine(and sometimes serotonin) receptor activity. Psychotherapy and vocational and social rehabilitation are also important in treatment. In more serious cases—where there is risk to self and others—involuntary hospitalization may be necessary, although hospital stays are now shorter and less frequent than they once were.[5]
The disorder is thought mainly to affect cognition, but it also usually contributes to chronic problems with behavior and emotion. People with schizophrenia are likely to have additional (comorbid) conditions, including major depression and anxiety disorders; the lifetime occurrence of substance use disorder is almost 50%.[6] Social problems, such as long-term unemployment, poverty, and homelessness are common. The average life expectancy of people with the disorder is 12 to 15 years less than those without, the result of increased physical health problems and a higher suicide rate (about 5%).[2][7]