What Is a Schizophrenic Episode?

Explore the symptoms, causes, and treatment of schizophrenic episodes, as well as some coping strategies that may be helpful.

January 17, 2025 · 4 min · 826 words · Matthew Armstrong

Table of Contents

Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhat Is a Schizophrenic Episode?SymptomsCausesTreatmentCoping

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

What Is a Schizophrenic Episode?

Symptoms

Causes

Treatment

Coping

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Symptoms of psychosis can include hallucinations, delusions, paranoia, and incoherence, saysDeepak D’Souza, MD, a psychiatry professor at Yale School of Medicine.

A schizophrenic episode, also known as apsychotic episodeoracute schizophrenia, describes a time when the person’s symptoms are particularly active, says D’Souza. Depending on the severity of the schizophrenic episode, the person may lose touch with reality, and the world can seem like a confusing jumble of sights, sounds, and information.

A schizophrenic episode can last days or weeks—in rare cases, even months, says D’Souza. Some people may experience only one or two schizophrenic episodes in their lifetime, whereas for others, the episodes may come and go in phases.

Symptoms of Schizophrenic Episodes

The symptoms of schizophrenic episodes are broadly classified into three categories:

If you are having suicidal thoughts, contact theNational Suicide Prevention Lifelineat988for support and assistance from a trained counselor. If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call 911.For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.

If you are having suicidal thoughts, contact theNational Suicide Prevention Lifelineat988for support and assistance from a trained counselor. If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call 911.

For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.

These are some of the symptoms of schizophrenic episodes:

These symptoms can make it difficult for a person to function on a daily basis. People with mild episodes may be able to understand some parts of reality and lead a somewhat normal life.

However, severe episodes can cause the person to disconnect from reality and compromise their ability to eat, maintain personal hygiene, work, and get around. The person may not be able to take care of their basic needs during these episodes, says D’Souza.

Causes of Schizophrenic Episodes

These are some of the factors that cancauseor exacerbate schizophrenic episodes, according to D’Souza:

Causes and Risk Factors of Schizophrenia

Treating Schizophrenic Episodes

Schizophrenia cannot be permanently cured; however,treatmentcan help eliminate the symptoms and reduce the occurrence of episodes.

A combination of therapy andantipsychotic medicationsare key to treating episodes of psychosis and schizophrenia in general, says D’Souza.

Treatment may be able to:

In some cases, a schizophrenic episode may warranthospitalizationin a safe, secure, and predictable environment if the person is unable to care for themselves or has become a danger to themselves or others, says D’Souza.

Coping With Schizophrenic Episodes

These are some steps that can help youcopewith a schizophrenic episode, according to D’Souza:

The Internal Experience of Schizophrenia

A Word From Verywell

Schizophrenic episodes can be difficult to cope with, for the person as well as theirloved ones. It can be difficult to watch someone you love go through the experience, especially the first time.

People with schizophrenia often have difficulty realizing they have a mental illness, so it can be hard to persuade them to seek treatment. However, it’s important to help them get treatment in order to reduce symptoms, prevent schizophrenic episodes, and manage the condition.

2 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Patel KR, Cherian J, Gohil K, Atkinson D.Schizophrenia: overview and treatment options.Pharmacy & Therapeutics.2014;39(9):638-645.Rajkumar RP.Depressive symptoms during an acute schizophrenic episode: frequency and clinical correlates.Depress Res Treat. 2015;2015:674641. doi:10.1155/2015/674641Additional ReadingAmerican Psychiatric Association.What is schizophrenia?Cleveland Clinic.Schizophrenia.National Alliance on Mental Illness.Schizophrenia.National Health Service.Schizophrenia symptoms.

2 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Patel KR, Cherian J, Gohil K, Atkinson D.Schizophrenia: overview and treatment options.Pharmacy & Therapeutics.2014;39(9):638-645.Rajkumar RP.Depressive symptoms during an acute schizophrenic episode: frequency and clinical correlates.Depress Res Treat. 2015;2015:674641. doi:10.1155/2015/674641Additional ReadingAmerican Psychiatric Association.What is schizophrenia?Cleveland Clinic.Schizophrenia.National Alliance on Mental Illness.Schizophrenia.National Health Service.Schizophrenia symptoms.

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Patel KR, Cherian J, Gohil K, Atkinson D.Schizophrenia: overview and treatment options.Pharmacy & Therapeutics.2014;39(9):638-645.Rajkumar RP.Depressive symptoms during an acute schizophrenic episode: frequency and clinical correlates.Depress Res Treat. 2015;2015:674641. doi:10.1155/2015/674641

Patel KR, Cherian J, Gohil K, Atkinson D.Schizophrenia: overview and treatment options.Pharmacy & Therapeutics.2014;39(9):638-645.

Rajkumar RP.Depressive symptoms during an acute schizophrenic episode: frequency and clinical correlates.Depress Res Treat. 2015;2015:674641. doi:10.1155/2015/674641

American Psychiatric Association.What is schizophrenia?Cleveland Clinic.Schizophrenia.National Alliance on Mental Illness.Schizophrenia.National Health Service.Schizophrenia symptoms.

American Psychiatric Association.What is schizophrenia?

Cleveland Clinic.Schizophrenia.

National Alliance on Mental Illness.Schizophrenia.

National Health Service.Schizophrenia symptoms.

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