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Schizophrenia spectrum and psychosis

Schizophrenia

Disorder affecting perception and thinking: delusions, hallucinations, disorganized speech and symptoms such as apathy or isolation may occur for at least six months. With treatment and support, many people lead full lives.

Common signs

Hearing or seeing things others don't perceiveUnusual beliefs that cannot be questionedIsolation, apathy and difficulty with self-care

Tips

For you

  1. Seek mental health care as soon as possible: early intervention improves the outlook
  2. Stick to the prescribed treatment and check-ups
  3. Avoid cannabis and other drugs, which make symptoms worse

For family and friends

  1. Don't argue about their beliefs; talk about how they feel
  2. Go with them to appointments and support them in sticking to treatment

When to ask for help

  1. If they talk about harming themselves or others: 112
  2. If they stop eating, drinking or sleeping for several days

Are you having a really hard time? If you're thinking of harming yourself, call 024 (free, 24 hours) or 112.

Warning signs

List of warning signs. Tick "Yes" for the ones you have noticed. There are 8 questions and you get your result straight away. Your answers are not saved or sent.

0 of 8
1. Hears voices or sees things others don't perceive
2. Believes they are being watched, followed or talked about for no reason
3. Has strange ideas they won't allow to be questioned
4. Speaks in a disorganised way that is hard to follow
5. Withdraws and has dropped their activities
6. Has stopped looking after themselves (hygiene, food, sleep)
7. Shows flat or out-of-place emotions
8. The way they act has changed a lot over weeks or months

Free resources

Downloadable PDF sheetSigns, tips and resources to print or saveConfederación SALUD MENTAL ESPAÑA (Spanish mental health confederation)Free external resource024 suicide crisis line (Spain, free, 24 h)Free external resourceAll our free guidesFree resource from Clínica Vivaldi

Related disorders

Schizophreniform disorderSchizophrenia spectrum and psychosisBrief psychotic disorderSchizophrenia spectrum and psychosisDelusional disorderSchizophrenia spectrum and psychosisSchizoaffective disorderSchizophrenia spectrum and psychosis

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Reviewed by María Teresa Fernández Vicente, health psychologist and neuropsychologist (registration no. CV17304), in November 2026. Educational information prepared by the Clínica Vivaldi team based on the DSM-5-TR classification. It does not replace a professional assessment and cannot be used to diagnose.