How Common Is Schizophrenia As A Mental Health Disorder?

Schizophrenia is a complex mental health disorder that impacts millions of people worldwide. Due to stigma and media portrayals of this condition, schizophrenia is often painted as a rare and taboo condition, and it may not be frequently discussed in social circles. However, because millions of people experience schizophrenia and can be impacted by these stigmas, it can be crucial to understand the correct statistics and how people with schizophrenia can find helpful and empathetic support in their communities. Often, treatment for schizophrenia involves therapy with a licensed mental health professional, which can take place in person or online.

What is schizophrenia? 

Schizophrenia is a mental illness and psychotic disorder listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-V), published by the American Psychological Association and American Psychiatric Association. In previous editions of the DSM, schizophrenia was considered a broader label with several subtypes. However, the DSM-V labels it as a “schizophrenia spectrum disorder,” meaning symptoms can exist on a spectrum unique to each individual, and there are no specific diagnostic criteria for any one subtype. 

Symptoms of schizophrenia

In general, several symptoms of schizophrenia must be present for this condition to be diagnosed, including two or more of the following symptoms: 

• Delusions (Strictly held false beliefs)
• Hallucinations (Sensory perceptions that are not truly occurring) 
• Disorganized speech and behavior
• Catatonia 
• Paranoia 
• Negative symptoms, such as diminished emotional expression 
• Decreased function in multiple areas of life 

Schizophrenia can occur in several stages, including prodromal, active, and residual. Although residual schizophrenia is no longer considered an official subtype, residual symptoms may still occur outside of active episodes. Prodromal symptoms may occur for up to a few years before an active episode and can be the first sign of the disorder’s development. Risk factors for developing schizophrenia may include genetics, traumatic experiences, and environmental factors. 

The diagnostic gap in schizophrenia

Because schizophrenia can be a highly stigmatized condition, it may be difficult for people to seek a diagnosis. In addition, people with active psychosis may not be able to understand their symptoms. If they do not have a healthy support system, they may end up in the criminal justice system or homeless, which can lead to not receiving the proper support to secure a diagnosis and effective treatment. 

Although updated research may be needed, older studies suggest that approximately 67.8% of people with schizophrenia receive support. 

Education, destigmatization of mental illnesses, and more accessible resources may be steps toward ensuring proper statistics when looking at the rate of schizophrenia in various populations. This process may also include looking at how many people in the criminal justice system and those who are homeless are experiencing schizophrenia. 

Studies show that rates of schizophrenia tend to be higher in homeless populations. Homeless individuals may have lower incomes, which could reduce their chances of receiving an official diagnosis or treatment, potentially leading to a further treatment gap.

How common is schizophrenia? 

Various studies have investigated the prevalence of schizophrenia, which has been difficult to measure due to a lack of research. Below are a few of these studies and statistics. 

How common is schizophrenia in the United States?

Prevalence estimates can vary based on the source. For this reason, more studies on the prevalence of schizophrenia and the diagnostic gaps in the healthcare system may be beneficial to fully understand how many people are living with schizophrenia. 

How common is schizophrenia worldwide? 

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), one in 300 people worldwide may be living with schizophrenia, amounting to approximately 0.32% of the population. However, because it can be difficult for people with schizophrenia to seek support, and due to a lack of support options in some countries, this number may be higher than the current estimation. 

Other population statistics 

Schizophrenia is considered a severe mental illness and tends to be associated with various other statistics related to diagnosis and treatment, including the following: 

• One in three people with psychosis worldwide may receive specialized mental healthcare, which can suggest a need for better support. 
• According to the above study, 50% of people in mental health hospitals are thought to have a schizophrenia diagnosis. 
• In 2019, 46% of people with schizophrenia were female, and 48% were male. 
• The average onset of schizophrenia tends to be in the late teens to early 20s for men and late 20s to early 30s for women. 
• Three out of every 100 individuals may experience psychosis in their lifetime.

Schizophrenia can be a challenging condition to experience due to its severe symptoms and the disconnect from reality a person might experience during an episode. However, it is often manageable with support, and many people with schizophrenia live successful lives with healthy relationships and careers. 

Elyn Saks, Distinguished Professor of Law, Professor of Psychology, and Psychiatry and the Behavioral Sciences at the USC Gould School of Law, lives with schizophrenia and advocates for understanding and destigmatizing the disorder. She has published five books and won various honor awards for her work advocating for ethical and effective treatment for people with severe mental illnesses. She can be seen as living proof that people with schizophrenia can live healthy lives, have support systems, and receive treatment. 

Support options for schizophrenia

Support options for schizophrenia are often effective, especially when used in tandem. Below are three options to discuss with your primary care provider. 

Medication

In some cases, a psychiatrist or other medical doctor may prescribe antipsychotic medications to treat schizophrenia symptoms. When used properly, these medications may reduce the frequency or severity of symptoms like hallucinations and delusions, which may help individuals with schizophrenia ground themselves in daily life. Each person is different, so talk to your doctor about the medications that may work for you. 

Always consult a medical doctor before starting, changing, or stopping a medication for any condition. The information in this article is not a replacement for medical advice or a schizophrenia diagnosis.

Long-term mental health care 

In some cases, people with schizophrenia may benefit from long-term care in a facility like a mental health hospital, group home, or rehabilitation center. In these facilities, clients can receive around-the-clock support from a team of doctors, therapists, and other professionals. 

Short-term inpatient care may be used when someone is experiencing a brief episode of psychosis. However, for longer episodes of psychosis or schizophrenia with severe comorbidities, long-term care may be beneficial. 

Before choosing a facility, consider the location’s ethics and client care policies. Look for an empathetic environment that is against harmful procedures like unnecessary restraints. Mental Health America (MHA) reports that seclusion and restraint can re-traumatize individuals, do not have a therapeutic purpose in treating schizophrenia or any mental health conditions, and do not help clients better manage the thoughts and emotions that might harm themselves or others. 

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Therapy

Mental health therapy can be another valuable option for people with schizophrenia, especially those in the prodromal or residual phases, as they may be more responsive to techniques for change. Therapy alongside medication can be a way to manage challenging symptoms in daily life. However, for some people, it might be difficult to find in-person services that are accessible and cost-effective.

Online therapy for mental illness

In these situations, online therapy platforms like BetterHelp may be helpful. With an online platform, clients can talk to their therapist via phone, video, or live chat sessions and choose a time of day that works best for them, including outside of standard business hours. In addition, online platforms are often more cost-effective than face-to-face therapy. 

Studies show that online therapy for first-episode psychosis may be beneficial, although more studies may be valuable when looking at whether internet therapy would benefit people with schizophrenia specifically. In addition, a growing body of research shows that online therapy can effectively treat the comorbidities of schizophrenia. For example, a 2017 analysis looked at data from 373 studies of internet-based treatment, which was found to effectively treat symptoms of OCD, anxiety, and depression.