schizophrenia
n. uncountablen. a serious mental illness where a person has trouble telling what is real and what is not. It often involves hearing voices or having very strange thoughts.
n. a chronic mental disorder characterised by distortions in thinking, perception, emotions, and sense of self. It often manifests as auditory hallucinations, delusions, or disordered speech.
Doctors use specific tests to diagnose schizophrenia.
The patient was diagnosed with schizophrenia after experiencing persistent hallucinations that interfered with his daily life.
While schizophrenia is often misunderstood by the public as a split personality, it is actually a complex neurodevelopmental condition requiring long-term psychiatric management and support.
From German Schizophrenie (coined by Eugen Bleuler), from Ancient Greek σχίζω (skhízō, “to split”) + φρήν (phrḗn, “mind, heart, diaphragm”) + English -ia. A combination of schizo- + -phrenia.
Uncountable when referring to the medical condition; can be used with 'a' or in the plural when referring to specific types or cases.
He has a schizophreniaHe has schizophreniaAs a medical condition, it is typically uncountable and does not take an indefinite article.