What to Know About Schizophrenia
An overview of what schizophrenia is, how common it is worldwide, and why consistent mental health treatment can help reduce relapse risk. We also highlight some key facts that guide Teva’s scientific focus in mental health.
Schizophrenia is a chronic, debilitating mental health disorder that can significantly affect how a person thinks, feels, and acts. Symptoms vary from person to person, but common examples include: 01
- Delusions
- Hallucinations
- Disorganized speech or behavior
- Impaired cognitive ability
Schizophrenia is a chronic, progressive and severely debilitating mental disorder that affects how one thinks, feels and acts. Patients experience many symptoms, including delusions, hallucinations, disorganized speech or behavior and impaired cognitive ability. 01
When does schizophrenia typically begin?
| Early 20s for men |
Late 20s for women |
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Although schizophrenia can occur at any age. However, the average age of onset tends to be in the late teens to early 20s for men, and late 20s to early 30s for women. 04
Gaps in mental health treatment
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Epidemiological surveys focused on schizophrenia explore how the condition affects different groups of people and why. 05 |
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Why relapse matters in schizophrenia
| Relapse is a significant and complex challenge faced by many people living with schizophrenia. Globally, relapse rates are estimated to be between 50–92%. 07 |  |
Each relapse can carry potentially lasting health risks, including:
Learn more about schizophrenia
- Hear from Matthew Shapiro on mental illness stigma and why words matter when it comes to discussions around schizophrenia
- Read Lesley's perspective on the importance of building a solid support network and caregiver team when living with schizophrenia
- Explore stories from patients and caregivers about their experiences living with mental health conditions and other chronic illnesses
References
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WHO Fact Sheets. Schizophrenia. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/schizophrenia [Accessed February 2026].
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WHO Fact Sheets. Schizophrenia. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/schizophrenia [Accessed February 2026].
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FHE Health. Schizophrenia Statistic. https://fherehab.com/schizophrenia/statistics [Accessed February 2026].
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National Institute of Mental Health. Schizophrenia. https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/schizophrenia [Accessed February 2026].
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Britannica. Epidemiology. https://www.britannica.com/science/epidemiology [Accessed February 2026].
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National Library of Medicine. Unmet need for mental health care in schizophrenia: an overview of literature and new data from a first-admission study. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19505994/ [Accessed February 2026].
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National Library of Medicine. Lifetime relapse and its associated factors among people with schizophrenia spectrum disorders who are on follow up at Comprehensive Specialized Hospitals in Amhara region, Ethiopia: a cross-sectional study. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8101248/ [Accessed February 2026].
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National Library of Medicine. Relapse Duration, Treatment Intensity, and Brain Tissue Loss in Schizophrenia: A Prospective Longitudinal MRI Study. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23558429/ [Accessed February 2026].
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BMC Psychiatry 13, 50. Andreasen, N. C., et al. (2013). The nature of relapse in schizophrenia. https://www.proquest.com/openview/0638c8f7fe42c209b5094df38633b97c/1.pdf?pq-origsite=gscholar&cbl=44775 [Accessed February 2026].
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National Library of Medicine. Does relapse contribute to treatment resistance? Antipsychotic response in first- vs. second-episode schizophrenia. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30514883/ [Accessed February 2026].
FAQs: Schizophrenia (science)
Schizophrenia is a chronic mental disorder that affects how a person thinks, feels, and acts. Symptoms of schizophrenia can include delusions, hallucinations, disorganized speech or behavior, and impaired cognitive ability.
Approximately 23 million people worldwide are currently diagnosed with schizophrenia.
About 3.5 million people in the United States are living with schizophrenia.
The average onset for schizophrenia symptoms is typically in the late teens to early 20s for men and late 20s to early 30s for women. However, schizophrenia can develop earlier or later in some cases.
In surveys, approximately 40% of respondents with schizophrenia reported not receiving any mental health treatment in the preceding 6–12 months.
Relapse remains an ongoing challenge. Globally, an estimated 50% to 92% of people living with schizophrenia will relapse once or more.
Each relapse can carry biological risks, including potential changes in brain morphology, loss of day-to-day function, and treatment resistance.
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