Written by the Fiveable Content Team โข Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 examโขWritten by the Fiveable Content Team โข Last updated September 2025
Definition
Schizophrenic refers to a serious mental disorder characterized by disturbances in thoughts, perceptions, emotions, and behavior. It involves experiencing hallucinations, delusions, disorganized thinking, and impaired social functioning.
A wrong diagnosis of schizophrenia can lead to inappropriate treatment and potential harm for the individual involved.
Stigma: Labelling someone as schizophrenic without proper examination can perpetuate negative stereotypes and discrimination against individuals with mental health conditions.