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- Prognosis
Disease course
The general course of schizophrenia varies from patient to patient. However, it is important to distinguish some of the common aspects of the course of schizophrenia as it helps mental health providers, patients and patients’ families know what to expect as the illness progresses. Some individuals with schizophrenia are chronically ill from the time of the initial onset of symptoms. Other persons display exacerbations of symptoms with periods of remission. Full recovery is rare, and the intensity of symptoms may depend on age of onset, sex, and environment.[1,2]
Individuals who experience periods of remission with exacerbations usually have a better outcome than patients who are chronically ill.[1,2] It is unlikely that any patient will have a complete remission with a return to premorbid functioning. However, some people with schizophrenia do have a relatively stable course and respond well to medication.
Unfortunately, others display a progressive worsening of symptoms over time and become severely disabled by the illness.
Based on several studies, factors that favour a good prognosis in schizophrenia include:[3]
- Short duration of initial episode
- Few episodes in the past
- Good adjustment patterns
- Being married
- Early diagnosis and initiation of treatment
- Acute onset
- Good social support networks
- Total adherence to medication.[4]
Substance abuse disorders and depression are common comorbidities. Suicide rates are estimated to range between 10% and 13% compared with a general population rate of 1%, making it the number one cause of death for people with schizophrenia.[5]
References
