Schizophrenia is a severe brain disease and psychiatric illness that, without treatment, interferes with the ability to think clearly, manage emotions, and interact with other people. It causes symptoms such as hallucinations, delusions, paranoia, and disorganized thinking.

The cause of schizophrenia is not clear. Treatment to manage the symptoms of schizophrenia consists of medicines, counseling, and a good support network.

Schizophrenia is not the same condition as multiple personality disorder (dissociative identity disorder).

By	Healthwise Staff
Primary Medical Reviewer	Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer	Miklos Ferenc Losonczy, MD, PhD - Psychiatry
Last Revised	August 19, 2010