Definition

"Schizophrenia." Dicitonary.com. 6 Dec. 2006 <http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/Schizophrenia>.


Any of a group of psychotic disorders usually characterized by withdrawal from reality, illogical patterns of thinking, delusions, and hallucinations, and accompanied in varying degrees by other emotional, behavioral, or intellectual disturbances. Schizophrenia is associated with dopamine imbalances in the brain and defects of the frontal lobe and is caused by genetic, other biological, and psychosocial factors.


"Schizophrenia Center." Everyday Health. Harvard Health Publications. 6 Dec. 2006 <http://www.everydayhealth.com/publicsite/index.aspx?puid=cb8e76f2-a14c-43a7-b29b-be26d09e384f>

Schizophrenia is a chronic (long-lasting) mental illness that is difficult to define and is easily misunderstood. Although symptoms may vary widely, people with schizophrenia frequently have difficulty recognizing reality, thinking logically and behaving normally in social situations. It is surprisingly common, affecting 1 in every 100 people worldwide.