Schizophrenia is a mental disorder characterized by reoccurring episodes of psychosis that are correlated with a general misperception of reality.  Common signs Include hallucinations, delusions, paranoia, disorganized thinking, social withdrawal, and flat affect.  Symptoms develop gradually and typically begin during young adulthood and are never resolved.  Diagnosis is based on observed behavior, a psychiatric history that includes the person’s reported experiences and reports of others familiar with the person.  For a diagnosis of schizophrenia, the symptoms need to have been present for at least 6 months (according to the DSM5) and one month (according to the ICD-11).  Many people with schizophrenia have other mental disorders, especially substance use disorders, depressive disorders, anxiety disorders, and obsessive-compulsive disorders.