Schizophrenia usually strikes between the ages of 16 and 25. In the 16-25 age group, schizophrenia affects more men than women. In the 25-30 age group, the incidence is higher in women than in men. The treatment can commence only once the doctor is absolutely certain that the patient is suffering from schizophrenia alone. Sometimes the symptoms of depression are mistaken for schizophrenia.
Most schizophrenics respond to medication and drug therapy.
The antipsychotic drugs do not cure schizophrenia. They reduce the number of psychotic episodes and help the patient to work more effectively. However, certain patients also suffer from side-effects on account of the antipsychotic drugs. Hospitalisation also helps. This enables the person to be under close supervision by trained mental health professionals to confirm that the person is suffering from schizophrenia.