schizophrenia

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noun schizo·phre·nia \ ˌskit-sə-ˈfrē-nē-ə \

Definition of schizophrenia

1 medical :a mental disorder that is characterized by disturbances in thought (such as delusions), perception (such as hallucinations), and behavior (such as disorganized speech or catatonic behavior), by a loss of emotional responsiveness and extreme apathy, and by noticeable deterioration in the level of functioning in everyday life — called also dementia praecox

Note: Schizophrenia often involves an inability to orient oneself with reality, a withdrawal from social interactions, and a failure to integrate thoughts with emotions so that emotional expression is inappropriate. There are several subtypes of schizophrenia, including paranoid schizophrenia and those types marked by catatonia or hebephrenia .

2 :contradictory or antagonistic qualities or attitudes

both parties … have exhibited schizophrenia over the desired outcome
—Elizabeth Drew

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schizophrenic

play \ˌskit-sə-ˈfre-nik\ adjective or noun

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schizophrenically

play \ˌskit-sə-ˈfre-ni-k(ə-)lē\ adverb

See schizophrenia defined for English-language learners

See schizophrenia defined for kids

Recent Examples of schizophrenia from the Web

A 2016 study in the American Journal of Stem Cells found that older dads are more likely to have children with autism or schizophrenia.

— suzannah weiss, Glamour, "Men Have Biological Clocks, Too — So Why Do We Only Talk About Women's?," 19 July 2017
The provision would amend an obscure Medicaid funding rule that has sharply limited the number of beds for those with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder or other mental illnesses.

— liz szabo, Kaiser Health News, "Senate GOP Bill Aims To Add Psych Beds; Squeeze On Medicaid Signals Their Undoing," 10 July 2017
The distinction Bush has always made between campaigning and governing created a kind of political schizophrenia.

— john taylor, Daily Intelligencer, "Lame-Duck Soup," 30 June 2017
Braeburn is developing a similar implant for schizophrenia, while Titan is working on one for Parkinson's, among other diseases.

— erika fry, Fortune, "for coverage from TIME, Health, Fortune and more," 29 June 2017
Playing on the ambiguity of whether its protagonist David (Dan Stevens) is suffering from schizophrenia or developing superpowers, Legion is one of the most surreal, daring, visually innovative new shows of the year.

— emma dibdin, Harper's BAZAAR, "The 14 Best TV Shows Of 2017 (So Far)," 27 June 2017
Family members called police about 6 p.m. to report that the man was acting erratically and possibly suffering from schizophrenia, police said.

— david hernandez, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Armed man surrenders after standoff at Montgomery Middle School," 15 June 2017
Within a few months, Murad was deposed by a coalition of family members and government ministers amid allegations of paranoia and schizophrenia, and imprisoned for the rest of his life.

— chicagotribune.com, "The Madness of King Donald," 14 June 2017
Joe Bauer struggled with psychogenic polydipsia, the uncontrollable impulse to drink liquid which is often associated with schizophrenia, and had been having trouble following the staff's instructions to refrain from drinking.

— emily woodruff, baltimoresun.com, "Day passes for vulnerable patients of psychiatric hospitals can have dangerous, even fatal consequences," 9 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'schizophrenia.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of schizophrenia

New Latin

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1909

See Words from the same year

Other Psychology Terms

fetish, hypochondria, intelligence, mania, narcissism, neurosis, pathological, psychosis, schadenfreude, subliminal

Medical Dictionary

schizophrenia

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noun schizo·phre·nia \ ˌskit-sə-ˈfrē-nē-ə \

medical Definition of schizophrenia

:a mental disorder characterized by loss of contact with the environment, by noticeable deterioration in the level of functioning in everyday life, and by disintegration of personality expressed as disorder of feeling, thought (as in delusions), perception (as in hallucinations), and behavior — called also dementia praecox; see paranoid schizophrenia