Schizophrenia, Adult Onset

Schizophrenia is a serious and persistent mental health condition characterized by disturbances in thinking, social engagement, and perception. The typical age of onset for schizophrenia is between 18 and 25 years, and the condition affects over 1% of the global population. It is a devastating illness that greatly impacts young adults at a period in which they have the potential to achieve their highest growth and productivity. Those with the condition experience a series of challenging symptoms, including bizarre delusions, social and functional impairments, executive dysfunctions, and mood-incongruent hallucinations. This entry provides a description of the core features of adult onset schizophrenia as well as the condition’s prevalence, environmental and biological causes, and treatment options.