PROJECT REPORT ON

“SCHIZOPHRENIA”

SUBMITTED BY:
Madiraju Gnaneswar

UNDER THE GUIDANCE OF:

Mr. Nitin N

DEPARTMENT OF PSYCHOLOGY
BGS PUBLIC SCHOOL
BGS Health and Education City,
#67, Dr. Vishnuvardhan Road, Bangalore – 560060
 CERTIFICATE

This is to certify that Madiraju Gnaneswari, student of Class ⅪI ‘A’ has

successfully completed his Psychology project titled “Schizophrenia”
during the academic year 2024-2025 as per the guidelines issued by the
Central Board of Secondary Education.

Signature of Internal Signature of Signature of External

Examiner Principal Examiner
 CERTIFICATE
This is to certify that Madiraju Gnaneswar, student
of Class ⅪI ‘A’ has successfully completed his
Psychology project titled “Schizophrenia” during the
academic year 2024-2025 as per the guidelines issued
by the Central Board of Secondary Education.

Nitin N
(PGT Psychology)
DEPARTMENT OF PSYCHOLOGY
BGS PUBLIC SCHOOL
 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

With immense pleasure I express my sincere thanks to

Mr. Nitin N, department of PSYCHOLOGY, BGS
Public School, Bangalore for his guidance, cooperation
and support and constant motivation and invaluable
guidance throughout duration of this project work. It
has been a most fruitful and enjoyable experience to
work under their guidance.
I would like to express a deep sense of gratitude to Mrs.
DEEPA RANI, the principal, BGS public school,
Bangalore for giving me an opportunity to do this
project.
I would also like to express my gratitude towards my
parents and family members for their kind cooperation
and encouragement as they helped me a lot in
completion of this project.
At last, I end up by thanking all who helped me in
finalizing the project within the time frame.
 INDEX
1) MENTAL DISORDERS
2) SCHIZOPHRENIA
3) SYMPTOMS OF SCHIZOPHRENIA
4) SYMPTOMS IN TEENAGERS
5) DIAGNOSIS
6) CAUSES AND RISK FACTORS
7) TREATMENT AND MANAGEMENT
8) SUICIDAL THOUGHTS
9) LIVING WITH SCHIZOPHRENIA
10) FUTURE DIRECTIONS
11) CASE STUDY 1: JOHN DOE
12) CASE STUDY 2: SARAH SMITH
13) CONCLUSION

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What is a mental health
disorder?
Mental (behavioural) health disorders, or mental illnesses,
affect the way you think and behave. They change your mood
and can make it difficult to function at home, work, school or
in your community.
It is important to note that having poor mental health does
not always mean you have a behavioural health disorder. You
can also have a behavioural health disorder and still go
through long periods of good mental health.

Are there different types of mental health disorders?

There are more than 200 types of mental health disorders. A

few of the most common types of mental health disorders
include:
Anxiety disorders.
Depression, bipolar disorder and other mood disorders.
Disruptive behaviour disorders, such as oppositional defiant
disorder and conduct disorder.
Eating disorders.
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).
Personality disorders, including borderline personality
disorder and antisocial personality disorder.
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders.
Substance use disorders, including drug addiction and alcohol
use disorder.

Psychological disorders are also called mental illnesses or

mental health conditions. They can affect your thinking,
emotions, and behaviour, often affecting your relationships
and day-to-day functioning. These conditions may be
temporary or lifelong.
Mental health conditions are common. The National Alliance
on Mental Illness estimates that 1 in 5 adults in the United
States experiences a psychological disorder each year.
Although psychological disorders can be challenging to live
with, they can be treated. Talk therapy, self-care strategies,
and medication can all play a role in helping people with
psychological disorders function better.
SCHIZOPHRENIA
Schizophrenia is a chronic and severe mental disorder
affecting how a person thinks, feels, and behaves. It is
characterized by disruptions in thought processes,
perceptions, emotional responsiveness, and social
interactions. This report aims to provide a detailed overview
of schizophrenia, including its symptoms, causes, diagnosis,
treatment, and impact on individuals and society.
Schizophrenia is a serious mental health condition that
affects how people think, feel, and behave. It may result in a
mix of hallucinations, delusions, and disorganized thinking
and behaviour. Hallucinations involve seeing things or hearing
voices that are not observed by others. Delusions involve firm
beliefs about things that are not true. People with
schizophrenia can seem to lose touch with reality, which can
make daily living very hard.
People with schizophrenia need lifelong treatment. This
includes medicine, talk therapy and help in learning how to
manage daily life activities.
Because many people with schizophrenia do not know they
have a mental health condition and may not believe they
need treatment, many research studies have examined the
results of untreated psychosis. People who have psychosis
that is not treated often have more-severe symptoms, more
stays in a hospital, poorer thinking and processing skills and
social outcomes, injuries, and even death. On the other hand,
early treatment often helps control symptoms before serious
complications arise, making the long-term outlook better.

UNDERSTANDING SCHIZOPHRENIA
Definition and Historical Background
Schizophrenia, derived from the Greek words "schizo" (split)
and "phren" (mind), was first identified as a distinct disorder
in the early 20th century by psychiatrist Eugen Bleuler. Unlike
the common misconception, schizophrenia does not involve
multiple personalities but is instead a disorder of fragmented
thought and perception.
Epidemiology
Schizophrenia affects approximately 1% of the global
population, with onset typically occurring in late adolescence
or early adulthood. Both men and women are affected,
though men often experience earlier onset.
Subtypes of Schizophrenia
Historically, schizophrenia was categorized into subtypes such
as paranoid, disorganized, catatonic, undifferentiated, and
residual. However, the DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical
Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition) has removed these
subtypes to focus on a spectrum of symptoms.
Symptoms and Diagnosis
Positive Symptoms
 Hallucinations: Sensory experiences without external
stimuli. Auditory hallucinations, such as hearing voices,
are the most common, often perceived as critical or
commanding.
 Delusions: Firmly held false beliefs not grounded.
Common delusions include paranoia (belief of being
persecuted) and grandiosity (belief in one’s
extraordinary abilities or status).
Disorganized Thinking: Marked by illogical thought patterns,
tangential speech, or "word salad," where ideas are
incoherently jumbled.

Negative Symptoms
Affective Flattening: Reduced emotional expression, often
observed as a monotone voice or lack of facial
responsiveness.
Avolition: Profound difficulty initiating and sustaining goal-
directed activities, such as work or personal hygiene.
Anhedonia: Inability to experience pleasure from activities
previously found enjoyable.

Cognitive Symptoms
Impaired Executive Functioning: Difficulty in planning,
organizing, and making decisions.
Attention Deficits: Struggles with focusing or maintaining
attention on tasks.
Memory Impairment: Challenges in retaining or recalling
information, particularly working memory.

Delusions.
This is when people believe in things that are not real or
true. For example, people with schizophrenia could think that
they are being harmed or harassed when they are not. They
could think that they are the target for certain gestures or
comments when they are not. They may think they are very
famous or have great ability when that is not the case. Or
they could feel that a major disaster is about to occur when
that is not true. Most people with schizophrenia have
delusions.
Hallucinations. These usually involve seeing or hearing things
that other people do not observe. For people with
schizophrenia, these things seem real. Hallucinations can
occur with any of the senses, but hearing voices is most
common.
Disorganized speech and thinking. Disorganized speech
causes disorganized thinking. It can be hard for people with
schizophrenia to talk with other people. The answers people
with schizophrenia give
to questions may not be related to what is being asked. Or
questions may not be answered fully. Rarely, speech may
include putting together unrelated words in a way that
cannot be understood. Sometimes this is called word salad.
Extremely disorganized or unusual motor behaviour. This may
show in several ways, from childlike silliness to being agitated
for no reason. Behaviour is not focused on a goal, so it is hard
to do tasks. People with schizophrenia may not want to
follow instructions. They may move in ways that are not
typical or not appropriate to the social setting. Or they may
not move much or respond at all.
Negative symptoms. People with schizophrenia may not be
able to function in the way they could before their illness
started. For example, they may not bathe, make eye contact,
or show emotions. They may speak in a monotone voice and
not be able to feel pleasure. Also, they may lose interest in
everyday activities, socially withdraw, and have a hard time
planning.
Symptoms can vary in type and how severe they are. At
times, symptoms may get better or worse. Some symptoms
may always be present.
People with schizophrenia usually are diagnosed in the late
teen years to early 30s. In men, schizophrenia symptoms
usually start in the late teens to early 20s. In women,
symptoms usually begin in the late 20s to early 30s. There
also is a group of people — usually women — who are
diagnosed later in life. It is not common for children to be
diagnosed with schizophrenia.
Symptoms in teenagers
Schizophrenia symptoms in teenagers are like those in adults,
but the condition may be harder to pinpoint. That is because
some early symptoms of schizophrenia — those that occur
before hallucinations, delusions, and disorganization — are
commonly seen in many teens, such as:
 Withdrawing from friends and family.
 Not doing well in school.
 Having trouble sleeping.
 Feeling irritable or depressed.
 Lacking motivation.
Also, the use of recreational drugs, such as marijuana,
stimulants like cocaine and methamphetamines, or
hallucinogens, can cause similar symptoms. Compared with
adults with schizophrenia, teens with the condition may be
less likely to have delusions and more likely to hallucinate.

Diagnosis
Schizophrenia is diagnosed using criteria outlined in the DSM-
5, which requires at least two core symptoms—delusions,
hallucinations, or disorganized speech—to persist for a
significant portion of a one-month period, with continuous
signs of disturbance lasting at least six months. Differential
diagnosis is crucial to exclude conditions such as bipolar
disorder, major depressive disorder with psychotic features,
and substance-induced psychosis. Neuroimaging and
laboratory tests aid in ruling out neurological or medical
conditions.

Causes and Risk Factors

It is not known what causes schizophrenia. But researchers
believe that a mix of genetics, brain chemistry and
environment can play a part.
Changes in certain naturally occurring brain chemicals,
including neurotransmitters called dopamine and glutamate,
may play a part in schizophrenia. Neuroimaging studies show
changes in the brain structure and central nervous systems of
people with schizophrenia. While researchers have not yet
been able to apply these findings to new treatments, the
findings show that schizophrenia is a brain disease.

Genetic Factors
Schizophrenia exhibits strong heritability, with first-degree
relatives having a tenfold increased risk. Twin studies indicate
a concordance rate of approximately 50% in identical twins,
emphasizing genetic susceptibility. Genome-wide association
studies (GWAS) have identified multiple risk loci, particularly
in regions regulating dopamine and glutamate
neurotransmission.
Neurobiological Factors
  Brain Structure Abnormalities: Neuroimaging reveals
enlarged lateral ventricles, reduced hippocampal and
cortical volume, and disrupted white matter integrity.
 Neurotransmitter Dysregulation: Hyperactivity of
dopamine pathways in the mesolimbic system
contributes to positive symptoms, while hypoactivity in
the prefrontal cortex underlies cognitive deficits.
Environmental Factors
 Prenatal Adversities: Exposure to infections (e.g.,
influenza), maternal malnutrition, and hypoxia during
birth significantly elevate risk.
 Childhood Trauma: Early-life stressors, including abuse
or neglect, are linked to altered stress-response systems.
 Substance Use: Cannabis use, particularly during
adolescence, has been implicated in increasing
susceptibility among genetically predisposed individuals.
Although the cause of schizophrenia is not known, these
factors seem to make schizophrenia more likely:
 A family history of schizophrenia.
 Life experiences, such as living in poverty, stress, or
danger.
 Some pregnancy and birth issues, such as not getting
enough nutrition before or after birth, low birth
weight, or exposure to toxins or viruses before birth
that may affect brain development.
  Taking mind-altering — also called psychoactive or
psychotropic — drugs as a teen or young adult.

Treatment and Management

Pharmacological Interventions
 Antipsychotics: These are divided into first-generation
(typical) antipsychotics, such as haloperidol, and second-
generation (atypical) antipsychotics, such as olanzapine.
While effective in reducing positive symptoms, side
effects like metabolic syndrome and tardive dyskinesia
pose challenges.
 Adjunctive Medications: Mood stabilizers and
antidepressants may be prescribed for comorbid
conditions.

Psychosocial Therapies
 Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT): Targets
maladaptive thoughts and behaviours, equipping
patients to manage hallucinations and delusions.
 Family Psychoeducation: Educates families about
schizophrenia, fostering a supportive environment to
prevent relapse.
 Vocational Training: Aims to reintegrate individuals into
the workforce and enhance independence.
Emerging Treatments
  Neuromodulation: Techniques like transcranial magnetic
stimulation (TMS) and deep brain stimulation (DBS)
show promise in alleviating refractory symptoms.
 Psychedelic Research: Early-phase trials on substances
like psilocybin suggest potential benefits for negative
symptoms and quality of life.

Complications
Left untreated, schizophrenia can lead to severe problems
that affect every area of life.
Complications that schizophrenia may cause or be related to
include:
 Suicide, suicide attempts and thoughts of suicide.
 Anxiety disorders and obsessive-compulsive disorder,
also known as OCD.
 Depression.
 Misuse of alcohol or other drugs, including nicotine.
 Not being able to work or attend school.
 Money problems and homelessness.
 Social isolation.
 Health and medical problems.
 Being victimized.
  Aggressive or violent behaviour, though people with
schizophrenia are more likely to be assaulted rather than
assault others.

Suicidal thoughts and behaviour

Suicidal thoughts and attempts are much higher than average
in people with schizophrenia. If a person is in danger of
suicide or has made a suicide attempt, make sure that
someone stays with that person. Contact a suicide hotline. In
the U.S., call or text 988 to reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis
Lifeline, available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Or use
the Lifeline Chat. Services are free and confidential. The
Suicide & Crisis Lifeline in the U.S. has a Spanish language
phone line at 1-888-628-9454 (toll-free).
Proper treatment of schizophrenia can reduce the risk of
suicide.
Impact of Schizophrenia
Individual Impact
Schizophrenia disrupts every facet of an individual’s life, from
personal relationships to occupational stability. High rates of
unemployment and homelessness among individuals with
schizophrenia highlight the disorder’s pervasive impact.
Societal Impact
Healthcare systems bear significant costs due to frequent
hospitalizations and long-term care needs. Lost productivity
and the societal stigma attached to schizophrenia further
compound economic and social burdens.
Stigma
Public misperceptions often equate schizophrenia with
violence, fostering discrimination. Advocacy and awareness
campaigns are crucial to dismantling stigma and promoting
understanding.

Living with Schizophrenia

Coping Strategies
 Daily Routines: Structured schedules help mitigate
cognitive impairments and maintain stability.
 Support Networks: Peer groups and community
programs provide emotional and practical assistance.
 Mindfulness Practices: Techniques such as meditation
and yoga improve stress management.
Success Stories
Inspirational accounts of individuals who have achieved
personal and professional milestones despite schizophrenia
challenge stereotypes and offer hope.

Future Directions
Research Advances
  Neurogenetics: Identifying biomarkers for early
detection and personalized interventions.
 Therapeutic Innovations: Development of drugs
targeting glutamatergic pathways and immune
modulation.
Policy Recommendations
 Strengthening mental health infrastructure by increasing
funding for research and services.
 Promoting integrated care models combining medical,
psychological, and social interventions.

Now, let us fixate our knowledge by

understanding 2 case profiles of
schizophrenic patients.

Case File 1: John Doe

Patient Information:
 Name: John Doe
 Age: 30
 Sex: Male
 Marital Status: Single
 Occupation: Unemployed
 Presenting Issue: John has been
experiencing persistent delusions and
 auditory hallucinations for the past 6
months, leading to significant
impairment in his daily functioning.
Medical History:
 Past psychiatric history: No prior history
of psychiatric disorders before the
onset of symptoms.
 Family history: There is a family history
of schizophrenia on the paternal side.
His father was diagnosed with
schizophrenia and had a history of
substance abuse.
 Physical health: John is in generally
good health, with no major medical
issues, although he has recently lost a
significant amount of weight due to
decreased appetite.
Current Symptoms:
 Delusions: John believes that the
government is spying on him, and he is
convinced that he is being followed by
secret agents. He also believes he has
special powers that others do not
possess.
 Auditory Hallucinations: John reports
hearing voices that comment on his
actions, telling him that people are
talking about him behind his back. The
 voices are highly disturbing and have
led him to isolate himself.
 Disorganized Speech: John’s speech has
become increasingly incoherent, with
frequent tangential thoughts and
difficulty maintaining a logical flow of
conversation.
 Disorganized Behaviour: He is often
seen pacing around the room or
muttering to himself. His daily activities
have become disorganized, and he has
difficulty completing simple tasks such
as dressing or eating.
 Social Withdrawal: John has withdrawn
from his family and friends, refusing to
leave his apartment or participate in
social activities.
 Mood: John reports feeling anxious and
paranoid most of the time but denies
any significant depressive symptoms.
Diagnosis:
 Primary Diagnosis: Schizophrenia,
paranoid type (F20.0 in ICD-10)
 Specifiers: Active phase with prominent
delusions and auditory hallucinations.
Treatment Plan:
  Medication: Antipsychotic medications
(Olanzapine 10 mg daily) to address
positive symptoms such as delusions
and hallucinations.
 Therapy: Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
(CBT) for psychosis, focusing on reality
testing and coping strategies for
dealing with delusions and
hallucinations.
 Social Support: Encourage family
involvement in treatment, particularly
in re-establishing trust and
reintroducing socialization.
 Lifestyle Recommendations: Regular
exercise to combat stress and anxiety,
as well as guidance on sleep hygiene to
address his disrupted sleep patterns.
 Follow-up Plan: Weekly therapy sessions
for the first three months, with close
monitoring of medication side effects
and symptom management. Regular
follow-up appointments with a
psychiatrist for medication
management.

Case File 2: Sarah Smith

Patient Information:
 Name: Sarah Smith
  Age: 24
 Sex: Female
 Marital Status: Engaged
 Occupation: Student (currently on a
leave of absence)
 Presenting Issue: Sarah began
experiencing unusual thoughts,
paranoia, and social withdrawal
approximately 8 months ago. Over the
past 3 months, her symptoms have
worsened, leading to significant
academic and social difficulties.
Medical History:
 Past psychiatric history: Sarah has no
previous psychiatric diagnoses but
experienced occasional anxiety
throughout her adolescence.
 Family history: No known family history
of schizophrenia or other major
psychiatric disorders, although her
maternal aunt has a history of
depression.
 Physical health: Sarah has been in
generally good health, though she has
recently reported a significant loss of
appetite and occasional dizziness.
Current Symptoms:
 Delusions: Sarah believes that her
classmates are conspiring against her,
spreading rumours, and trying to
sabotage her future. She is convinced
that the people around her can hear her
thoughts and are responding to them.
 Hallucinations: Sarah reports hearing
whispering voices that tell her she is
worthless and should not trust anyone.
She has also experienced visual
hallucinations, particularly seeing
shadowy figures out of the corner of her
eye.
 Cognitive Impairment: Sarah is
struggling with concentration, often
forgetting things she just learned. She
reports difficulty completing academic
tasks and has fallen behind in her
studies.
 Social Withdrawal: Once very active in
her social circle, Sarah has stopped
attending social events and avoids
interacting with friends and family. She
has begun to isolate herself more
frequently and refuses to leave her
apartment.
 Mood: Sarah describes feeling fearful
and agitated much of the time. She
 often has feelings of worthlessness, but
she denies having suicidal thoughts.
Diagnosis:
 Primary Diagnosis: Schizophrenia,
undifferentiated type (F20.9 in ICD-10)
 Specifiers: Active phase with mixed
positive symptoms, including auditory
and visual hallucinations.
Treatment Plan:
 Medication: Antipsychotic medications
(Aripiprazole 15 mg daily) to manage
delusions and hallucinations, with an
emphasis on minimizing side effects
such as weight gain or sedation.
 Therapy: Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
(CBT) to address maladaptive thought
patterns and focus on improving reality
orientation. Social skills training to help
with reintegration into social and
academic environments.
 Support Systems: Encourage her
engagement with a peer support group
for individuals with schizophrenia to
build a sense of community. Involve her
fiancé in therapy to address relationship
dynamics and stressors.
 Lifestyle Recommendations: Encourage
regular physical activity (e.g., yoga or
 walking) to help reduce anxiety and
stress. Advise on proper sleep hygiene
to help with disrupted sleep cycles.
 Follow-up Plan: Intensive outpatient
therapy for the first 6 weeks, followed
by bi-weekly sessions. Regular
psychiatric follow-ups to monitor
medication response and adjust
treatment as necessary.

CONCLUSION
Schizophrenia is a complex disorder requiring a multifaceted
approach for effective management. Advances in research,
combined with efforts to reduce stigma and improve access
to care, hold promise for enhancing outcomes and quality of
life for individuals living with schizophrenia. Early detection,
when paired with timely interventions, has the potential to
significantly improve prognosis and prevent the exacerbation
of symptoms. Comprehensive treatment plans that integrate
medical, psychological, and social interventions not only
address the symptoms but also foster overall well-being and
functional recovery.
Efforts to combat societal stigma are equally important, as
stigma perpetuates isolation and inhibits individuals from
seeking care. Public education campaigns, community
inclusion initiatives, and legislative support for mental health
rights are essential steps in this direction. Equipping families
and caregivers with resources and support further bolsters
the treatment framework.
From a research perspective, ongoing advancements in
neuroscience, pharmacology, and genetics are uncovering
innovative therapies and preventive strategies. For instance,
biomarker identification for early detection and the
exploration of immune-modulating treatments presents
exciting possibilities for future care.
Finally, a holistic and empathetic approach—rooted in
understanding the lived experiences of individuals with
schizophrenia—can pave the way for a more inclusive and
supportive society. By addressing challenges across medical,
social, and policy domains, it is possible to transform the
narrative of schizophrenia from one of despair to one of
resilience and hope. Together, these collective efforts
represent a promising pathway toward mitigating the
profound challenges posed by this disorder and ensuring a
brighter future for all those affected.

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