SCHIZOPHRENIA AND QUALITY OF LIFE: IDENTIFYING KEY DRIVERS FOR IMPROVED OUTCOMES

Abstract

Schizophrenia is a debilitating syndrome affecting approximately 1% of the global population, as classified by the World Health Organization among the top ten most disabling diseases worldwide. This chronic and intricate disorder significantly impacts the quality of life, causing suffering for both patients and their families and caregivers. Typically, initial signs and symptoms emerge between 20 and 25 years of age, often presenting as psychotic episodes. Schizophrenia is characterized by four distinct stages: premorbid, prodromal, progression, and stabilization. The premorbid and prodromal phases precede the first episode of psychosis, marked by reduced sociability, social anxiety, and cognitive impairments. Following the first episode of psychosis, clinical presentation can be categorized into three domains: negative, positive, and cognitive symptoms. Negative symptoms involve emotional disturbances such as reduced affect, diminished daily-life pleasure, and difficulties initiating activities. Positive symptoms manifest as psychotic behaviors, where patients struggle to differentiate reality from hallucination. Cognitive symptoms, akin to negative symptoms, are more challenging to discern, characterized by diminished executive function, information processing, decision-making, focus, attention, and memory.