Abstract
Schizophrenia is a disorder characterized by positive symptoms (e.g., psychosis, delusions) and negative symptoms (e.g., anhedonia). Symptoms of schizophrenia begin to show in early adolescence and persist and become more severe until the onset of the disorder around age 20–25. The exact cause of schizophrenia is unknown, but several theories exist including genetic (i.e., schizophrenia is inherited), biological (e.g., neurotransmitters like dopamine confer risk for schizophrenia), and diathesis-stress models. Antipsychotic medication is currently the first line of treatment for schizophrenia, but psychosocial treatment has also been shown to be effective.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Title of host publication | Psychopathology |
| Subtitle of host publication | Foundations for a Contemporary Understanding |
| Editors | James E Maddux, Barbara A Winstead |
| Publisher | Routledge |
| Pages | 247-276 |
| Number of pages | 30 |
| Edition | 3 |
| ISBN (Print) | 978-0415887908 |
| State | Published - 2012 |