Health · England
Understanding schizophrenia
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Schizophrenia is a mental health condition.
People can improve with treatment and support.
What it means
Schizophrenia can affect thinking, feelings and everyday life.
It does not mean having two personalities.
You deserve respect and support.
You might hear voices or find thoughts difficult to organise.
You may find everyday tasks harder.
These experiences can have different causes.
Getting an assessment
A mental health specialist can assess what is happening.
Hearing voices alone does not mean you have schizophrenia.
Ask for help early.
Tell the team how you communicate.
Ask for clear information, more time or a supporter.
Your views matter.
Treatment and health checks
Medicines may help with symptoms.
Ask about benefits and side effects.
Do not change medicines without advice from your prescriber.
You also need checks on your physical health.
Ask which checks you need and who will arrange them.
Tell the team about side effects or new symptoms.
Talking therapy may help you cope with difficult experiences.
Your family or chosen supporters may also need information.
Discuss who you want involved.
The life you want
Ask for support with your own goals and interests.
Make a plan for signs that you are becoming unwell.
Keep contact details for your care team.
Urgent help
For urgent mental health help, call 111 and choose the mental health option.
You can also ask for an urgent GP appointment.
If life is at risk, call 999 or go to A&E.
Do this too if you cannot keep yourself or someone else safe.
What you can do next
Ask for an assessment and a plan that fits your needs.
Ask who to contact if you become unwell.
Read NHS information about schizophrenia Web pageThis link opens another website.
It may use harder words.
More useful links
- NHS: schizophrenia Web page
An introduction to symptoms, assessment, treatment and recovery.
- NHS: treatment for schizophrenia Web page
Information about medicines, talking therapies and care teams. Ask the team to explain your own plan.
- NHS: living with schizophrenia Web page
Everyday support, physical health, recovery and help for families.
- NHS: urgent mental health help Web page
When to use urgent GP or NHS 111 help and when 999 or A&E is needed.
These links open other websites.
They may use harder words.
Schizophrenia
Understand schizophrenia, assessment, treatment, physical health checks and support for the life you want.
Adults · England · General information
What schizophrenia means
Schizophrenia is a mental health condition that can involve episodes of psychosis. During psychosis, it can be difficult to judge what is real. The course of the condition varies: some people have periods of being unwell followed by improvement, and many recover. Support should help the person live a meaningful life. Schizophrenia does not mean having a split personality, and the diagnosis does not mean a person is violent.
How it can affect someone
Experiences can include hearing voices or seeing things others do not, strongly held beliefs that do not fit the available evidence, or thoughts and speech becoming difficult to organise. Some people also find motivation, concentration, social contact or everyday tasks harder. These experiences need careful assessment. Hearing voices or withdrawing from activities can have other explanations; a symptom list cannot diagnose schizophrenia.
Ask for an accessible assessment
A psychiatrist or another specialist mental health professional should assess symptoms, their duration and effect on daily life. Assessment includes physical health, medicines, alcohol or other drugs, mood, sleep, life events and developmental history. For someone with a learning disability or an autistic person, explain their usual communication and any recent changes. Ask for suitable adjustments, time and a chosen supporter. Cultural or religious beliefs and communication differences should be understood in context.
Get help early and know urgent routes
Speak to a GP as soon as possible if you are concerned about symptoms. A first episode of psychosis should receive prompt specialist assessment, often through an early intervention team. Contact an existing care team if symptoms return. For urgent mental health help, call NHS 111 and select the mental health option, or ask for an urgent GP appointment. Call 999 or go to A&E if someone’s life is at risk or you cannot keep yourself or someone else safe.
Medicines and physical health checks
Treatment commonly includes an antipsychotic medicine, chosen through discussion with the specialist. Ask what benefit is expected, possible side effects and how these will be reviewed. Checks may include weight, blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol and movement-related side effects. Report troublesome effects, including constipation, rather than struggling alone. Ask who arranges monitoring and medicine reviews. Do not stop or change prescribed treatment without discussing it with the prescriber.
Talking therapies and family support
Ask about cognitive behavioural therapy for psychosis, often called CBT, to help understand experiences, reduce distress and find useful ways of coping. Family intervention can help the person and those close to them understand the condition, solve practical difficulties and plan support. Discuss who you want involved and what information may be shared. Therapy should be adapted to communication, understanding, sensory needs and preferences. A learning disability should not be a reason to overlook psychological support.
Support everyday life and recovery
Recovery can involve health, relationships, education, work, interests and independent living. Ask the team what practical or occupational support would help your goals. Peer support may offer contact with people who have similar experiences. Agree realistic routines for sleep, food, activity and appointments. Ask for help with alcohol or other drug use if needed. Let the prescriber know about changes in smoking because these can affect some medicines.
Make a plan that includes your wishes
Agree who coordinates care, how progress will be reviewed and whom to contact between appointments. Record personal signs of becoming unwell, helpful responses and a crisis plan. Supporters should listen calmly, acknowledge distress and avoid blame. Ask about advocacy if you need help expressing your wishes or understanding treatment and rights. Review support after a crisis, a hospital stay or a move, and keep the person’s own priorities central.
Words you could use
“Please explain the assessment and treatment choices in a way I understand. Help me plan support, health checks and what to do if I become unwell.”
More useful links
- NHS: schizophrenia Web page
An introduction to symptoms, assessment, treatment and recovery.
- NHS: treatment for schizophrenia Web page
Information about medicines, talking therapies and care teams. Ask the team to explain your own plan.
- NHS: living with schizophrenia Web page
Everyday support, physical health, recovery and help for families.
- NHS: urgent mental health help Web page
When to use urgent GP or NHS 111 help and when 999 or A&E is needed.
These links open other websites.
They may use harder words.
Where the information comes from
Links checked 9 November 2026.
These links open other websites.
They may use harder words.
- NHS: schizophrenia overview Web page
Individual experiences, recovery and correcting split-personality and violence stereotypes.
- NHS: schizophrenia symptoms Web page
Perception, thinking, motivation and everyday functioning.
- NHS: schizophrenia diagnosis Web page
Specialist assessment, other possible explanations and prompt referral.
- NICE CG178: psychosis and schizophrenia in adults Web page
Early intervention, comprehensive assessment, treatment choices and physical health monitoring.
- NHS: schizophrenia treatment Web page
Individual medicine reviews, talking therapies and family support.
- NICE NG54: mental health and learning disabilities Web page
Accessible assessment, individual communication, coordinated care and adapted psychological support.
- NHS: living with schizophrenia Web page
Care plans, physical health, meaningful activities, peer support and advocacy.
- NHS: urgent mental health help Web page
Urgent GP or NHS 111 mental health option, and emergency help when safety or life is at risk.