What is schizophrenia?

Schizophrenia is a serious mental illness that affects the way a person thinks, feels and behaves. People with this condition may seem cut off from reality, which affects not only them but also their family and friends. Effective methods of treatment and proper diagnosis by a psychiatrist from Krakow allow many diagnosed people to return to normal life, attend school, work and enjoy healthy relationships.

What are the signs and symptoms of schizophrenia?

It is important to recognize the symptoms of schizophrenia as soon as possible and seek help. Typically, a psychiatrist’s diagnosis occurs between the ages of 16 and 30, after the first episode of psychosis. The symptoms of schizophrenia can be divided into three main categories: psychotic, negative and cognitive. Psychotic symptoms include hallucinations, delusions, thinking and movement disorders. Negative symptoms include loss of motivation, social withdrawal, and difficulty expressing emotions. Cognitive symptoms include problems with attention, concentration and memory.

Risk of violence

Most people with schizophrenia are not violent, but the risk of violence increases when the disease is left untreated. It is therefore important that people showing symptoms of schizophrenia receive appropriate care as soon as possible.


Schizofrenia i dysocjacyjne zaburzenie tożsamości

Schizophrenia is different from dissociative identity disorder. People with dissociative identity disorder have two or more separate identities that take control of them alternately.


What are the risk factors for schizophrenia?

Genetic, environmental, and brain structure and function factors may all contribute to the risk of developing schizophrenia.


How is schizophrenia treated?

Treatment for schizophrenia focuses on reducing symptoms, improving daily functioning, and achieving personal goals. Antipsychotics can help reduce psychotic symptoms, and psychosocial therapies help you deal with challenges and improve your quality of life. Coordinated specialist care programs and assertive community treatment are particularly effective in treating early disease. It is also important to treat possible problems with drugs and alcohol.


How to find help for schizophrenia?

For help with schizophrenia, you should consult a health professional who can refer you to a specialist. There are various programs, support groups and therapies available to help people with the condition and their families.


Schizophrenia is a serious mental illness that affects many aspects of a person’s life. It is important to recognize the symptoms early and start effective treatment. With various therapies, medications, and the support of family and friends, people with schizophrenia can achieve a better quality of life, work, study, and enjoy satisfying social relationships. It is worth seeking help from a psychologist in Krakow as from a psychiatrist and gaining knowledge about this disease in order to better understand its mechanisms and challenges that people affected by schizophrenia may face.

Piotr Wereszczyński, psychologist and psychotherapist. He works therapeutically in the psychodynamic paradigm.

He specializes in individual psychotherapy for people with neurotic problems and depressive personality disorders.