Schizophrenia can impact anyone. Its exact cause is not known, but experts are learning more about who is at risk for the condition. There are also common trends around when most people are diagnosed.1-3
How common is schizophrenia?
Just under 1 percent of the world’s population has schizophrenia. Nearly 3 million new people across the globe are diagnosed each year.4,5
Diagnosis in men versus women
Schizophrenia impacts all genders at about the same rate, though men may be diagnosed slightly more often than women. On average, men are diagnosed at a younger age than women. Women are usually diagnosed in their mid-20s to early 30s. Men are commonly diagnosed as early as their mid- to late teenage years.1,2,6
Determining age of onset can be tricky, though. Sometimes, mild symptoms occur and slowly worsen over time. The time from first symptom to diagnosis can be years.4,7,8
Schizophrenia in kids and older adults
It is very rare for children to be diagnosed with schizophrenia. However, it is possible. Childhood cases of schizophrenia are often severe. The usual age of diagnosis is late adolescence to early adulthood. Only about 1 out of 5 cases are diagnosed after the age of 45.2,6
Co-occuring conditions with schizophrenia
More than half of people with schizophrenia have a co-occurring health condition. Many of these conditions decrease the lifespan. People experiencing schizophrenia are more likely to meet qualifications of disability.2,8
About half of all people with schizophrenia have another mental or behavioral health condition, too. However, only about 1 out of every 3 people with schizophrenia receive specialized mental health care.5,8
What increases a person’s risk for schizophrenia?
While experts do not know exactly what causes schizophrenia, they are learning more about who is at risk for it. Factors that increase the chances of developing schizophrenia include:1-7
- Having a family history of schizophrenia (especially in a sibling or parent)
- Being born in the winter
- Having certain autoimmune disorders or infections
- Experiencing extreme, long-term stress
- Using recreational drugs (especially heavy marijuana use in teenage years)
- Being born to a mother with pregnancy complications like gestational diabetes, low vitamin D, or preeclampsia
- Having a low birth weight or complications during your birth
- Living in poverty or in stressful, dangerous environments
- Experiencing trauma as a child
This is not a complete list of all potential risk factors. Talk with your doctor if you are concerned about your risk or a loved one’s risk.
How common are schizophrenia spectrum disorders?
The term “schizophrenia” also is used to describe a group of mental health conditions called schizophrenia spectrum disorders. Some of the most common of these disorders are:1,4,9-13
- Schizophreniform disorder – Affects about 1 in every 1,000 people. About 1 out of 3 people with schizophreniform disorder will recover.
- Delusional disorder – Affects fewer than 1 in every 1,000 people. The most common type of delusion is called persecutory (or paranoid). These delusions involve feeling like someone is out to get you or harm you.
- Schizoaffective disorder – Affects about 3 in every 1,000 people. This condition impacts more women than men.
- Schizotypal personality disorder – Affects fewer than 4 percent of people in the United States. This condition is more common in men than in women.
- Catatonia – Affects about 1 to 2 percent of people in psychiatric care and up to 10 percent of people hospitalized for mental health treatment