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What are psychosis and schizophrenia?
Psychosis is a state in which the brain misreads reality. A person may hear voices others cannot hear, become convinced they are being watched, followed or poisoned, or speak and behave in confused ways. Psychosis can occur in several conditions — including severe depression, bipolar disorder, drug use and some medical illnesses.
Schizophrenia is a specific, long-term illness in which psychotic episodes occur along with “negative” symptoms (loss of motivation, emotional flatness, social withdrawal) and difficulties with attention and memory. The World Health Organization estimates it affects about 1 in 300 people worldwide.
Symptoms and early warning signs
Positive symptoms
Hearing voices (hallucinations); fixed false beliefs such as being followed, poisoned or controlled (delusions); muttering or laughing to oneself; confused speech.
Negative symptoms
Withdrawal from family and friends, poor self-care, reduced speech, loss of interest and motivation, flat or blunted emotions.
Cognitive symptoms
Poor concentration and memory, difficulty planning or following conversations, falling performance at work or college.
Early signs families often notice first
- Becoming unusually suspicious, fearful or secretive
- Staying awake at night, staying in the room, dropping out of studies or work
- Strange new beliefs, or talking about things that do not make sense
- Neglecting bathing, eating or appearance
- Unexplained anger or fear towards family members
What causes schizophrenia?
- Genes — the risk is higher if a close relative has schizophrenia, though most people with a relative never develop it.
- Brain development — differences in how the brain develops and in dopamine signalling.
- Cannabis and other drugs — regular cannabis (ganja, charas, bhang) use, especially in the teenage years, increases the risk of psychosis. Stimulants can also trigger it.
- Stress — major stress can trigger an episode in someone who is vulnerable.
In India, families sometimes first take a loved one to faith healers or believe symptoms are due to black magic or spirits. This is understandable, but psychosis is a treatable medical condition, and every month of delay makes recovery harder. You can respect your beliefs and still seek medical care.
Treatment and recovery
Antipsychotic medicines
Antipsychotic medicines reduce hallucinations, delusions and confusion, usually over days to weeks. Options include tablets and long-acting injections given every few weeks — helpful for people who find daily tablets difficult. For illness that does not respond to two adequate trials, clozapine, with regular blood monitoring, can be very effective.
Family involvement
Families are partners in care. Learning about the illness, spotting early relapse signs, reducing criticism and conflict at home, and supporting medicines lowers relapse rates significantly.
Rehabilitation and therapy
Once symptoms settle, the focus moves to rebuilding routine, social skills, studies or work. Psychotherapy helps with stress, coping with residual voices and building confidence.
When hospital care is needed
Sometimes admission is needed for safety or to start treatment. India’s Mental Healthcare Act, 2017 protects the rights of people receiving such care. Read your rights as a patient.
If your family member refuses treatment
- Stay calm and avoid arguing about the voices or beliefs — focus on how they feel (scared, tired, unable to sleep).
- Suggest a doctor’s visit for sleep, stress or tiredness, which the person may accept more easily.
- Meet the psychiatrist yourself first — families can consult to plan the next steps.
- If there is immediate risk, call 112 for emergency help.
More guidance: how to help a loved one get mental health care.
Myths and facts about schizophrenia
Myth
Schizophrenia is caused by black magic, spirits or sins.
Fact
Schizophrenia is a brain-based illness influenced by genes, development and environment. It responds to medical treatment.
Myth
People with schizophrenia can never work, marry or live normally.
Fact
With early and continuous treatment, many people study, work, marry and live independently.
Myth
Marriage will cure the illness.
Fact
Marriage does not treat schizophrenia. Stopping treatment or hiding the illness can lead to relapse and great distress for both partners.
Schizophrenia & psychosis in Gujarati & Hindi
In Gujaratiગુજરાતીમાં
સ્કિઝોફ્રેનિયા એટલે શું?
સ્કિઝોફ્રેનિયા મગજની એક લાંબી બીમારી છે જેમાં વ્યક્તિ વાસ્તવિકતાથી દૂર થઈ જાય છે — બીજાને ન સંભળાય તેવા અવાજો સંભળાય, કોઈ પીછો કરે છે કે ઝેર આપે છે તેવી ખોટી શંકા થાય. આ મેલી વિદ્યા કે ભૂત-પ્રેત નથી, પરંતુ સારવાર થઈ શકે તેવી બીમારી છે. વહેલી અને નિયમિત સારવારથી ઘણા દર્દીઓ સામાન્ય જીવન જીવે છે.
- કાનમાં અવાજો સંભળાવા, એકલા એકલા બોલવું કે હસવું
- વધુ પડતી શંકા અને ડર
- લોકોથી દૂર રહેવું, પોતાની સંભાળ ન લેવી
- ઊંઘ ન આવવી અને અભ્યાસ કે કામ છોડી દેવું
ગુજરાતીમાં પરામર્શ માટે કૉલ કરો: +91 78610 24557
In Hindiहिंदी में
सिज़ोफ्रेनिया क्या है?
सिज़ोफ्रेनिया दिमाग की एक लंबी बीमारी है जिसमें व्यक्ति वास्तविकता से दूर हो जाता है — दूसरों को न सुनाई देने वाली आवाज़ें सुनाई देती हैं, कोई पीछा कर रहा है या ज़हर दे रहा है ऐसा गलत शक होता है। यह जादू-टोना या भूत-प्रेत नहीं, बल्कि इलाज योग्य बीमारी है। जल्दी और नियमित इलाज से कई मरीज़ सामान्य जीवन जीते हैं।
- कानों में आवाज़ें आना, अकेले में बोलना या हँसना
- बहुत ज़्यादा शक और डर
- लोगों से दूर रहना, अपनी देखभाल न करना
- नींद न आना और पढ़ाई या काम छोड़ देना
हिंदी में परामर्श के लिए कॉल करें: +91 78610 24557
Consultations are available in English, Hindi and Gujarati.
Frequently asked questions
Can schizophrenia be cured?
Schizophrenia is usually a long-term illness, but it is treatable. Many people have few or no symptoms with regular treatment, and some recover substantially. Starting treatment early and continuing it gives the best chance of a good recovery.
Is schizophrenia caused by black magic or spirits?
No. Schizophrenia is a medical condition of the brain. Beliefs about black magic are common and understandable, but delaying medical treatment can make the illness harder to treat.
Do people with schizophrenia have to take medicines lifelong?
Many people need long-term treatment to prevent relapse, especially after more than one episode. The dose and plan are reviewed regularly. Long-acting injections can make treatment easier.
Is schizophrenia the same as split personality?
No. “Split personality” refers to a rare and different condition (dissociative identity disorder). Schizophrenia involves psychosis — hallucinations, delusions and confused thinking.
Can someone with schizophrenia get married?
Yes, many people do, once the illness is stable and with honest discussion between families. Marriage is not a treatment, and stopping medicines around marriage often leads to relapse.
Can cannabis (ganja or bhang) cause psychosis?
Yes. Regular cannabis use — particularly high-strength cannabis and use during the teenage years — raises the risk of psychosis and schizophrenia and makes existing illness worse. Stopping cannabis is an important part of recovery.