Schizophrenia

Definition

Schizophrenia is a severe mental disorder characterized by distortions in thinking, perception, emotions, language, sense of self and behavior.

Related terms

Psychosis:

A severe mental disorder in which thought and emotions are so impaired that contact is lost with external reality.

Delusions:

False beliefs held despite strong evidence against them; a common symptom of schizophrenia.

Hallucinations:

Perceptions in the absence of external stimuli that have qualities of real perception; another common symptom of schizophrenia.