schizophrenia

Schizophrenia is a long-term mental health condition that causes a range of different psychological symptoms. These include: hallucinations (hearing or seeing things that do not exist), delusions (unusual beliefs that are not based on reality and often contradict the evidence), muddled thoughts based on the hallucinations or delusions, and changes in behaviour. Doctors describe schizophrenia as a psychotic illness. This means that sometimes a person may not be able to distinguish their own thoughts and ideas from reality.

Our schizophrenia Blogs

How much does family history increase your mental health risk? New study provides answers

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This Danish study of over 3 million people found that having a first-degree relative with depression increased risk 2.35-times, resulting in 15% lifetime risk (compared to 7.8% in the general population). However, 60% of depression cases occurred in people with no affected close relatives, highlighting that family history is only part of the story.

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Rapid weight gain after SMI diagnosis, but why so few referrals for support?

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A 15-year analysis of UK primary care records showed steep and sustained weight gain after an SMI diagnosis, especially among younger adults and people prescribed antipsychotic medication. Yet very few received referrals for weight-management support, raising important questions about practice and policy.

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The Challenge of VR for voices in psychosis

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We’ve been talking about VR for voices for more than a decade. Are the results finally catching up with the hype? A new multi-site RCT from Denmark tests a refined, immersive version of AVATAR therapy for people with schizophrenia who continue to hear distressing voices despite medication.

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Targeting distressing mental imagery in psychosis: a neglected but promising area for intervention

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What if therapy focused not on thoughts or voices, but on the vivid images that often accompany them? The iMAPS-2 trial tested a novel imagery-focused therapy for psychosis, showing it’s safe, acceptable, and ready for a full-scale trial.

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Doubling of respiratory deaths in people with severe mental illness

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People with severe mental illness are more than twice as likely to die from respiratory disease than those without. This new systematic review highlights the scale of the problem and why action on public health and social inequality is just as vital as stop-smoking advice.

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Should you start metformin whenever you start antipsychotics?

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Guidelines say metformin can help prevent weight gain from antipsychotics like olanzapine, but this large UK study shows it’s rarely prescribed. What’s stopping us?

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Treating ADHD in psychosis: What does the evidence say about safety?

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How safe is it to treat ADHD in people with schizophrenia spectrum disorders? New long-term data offers pragmatic reassurance, but also some warnings.

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Spotting the storm before it breaks: mapping the prodrome of severe mental illness

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People with severe mental illness often face years of poor health before diagnosis. A new study uses machine learning and clinical notes to map the early warning networks of symptoms that could help us intervene earlier.

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Widening the lens on delusions: a global meta-analysis shows our scales miss many common themes

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This big meta-analysis pooled 155 studies from 37 countries and found many more delusional themes than standard assessment tools capture. Clinicians should watch for “non-classical” content, and researchers should widen how we measure delusions.

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Core beliefs in psychosis: new insights from a systematic review

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Negative core beliefs like “I’m worthless” or “people can’t be trusted” are linked to hallucinations, paranoia, and suicidality. This new systematic review shows how deep-rooted schemas shape psychosis, and what this means for psychological therapies.

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