schizophrenia
[ skit-suh-free-nee-uh, -freen-yuh ]
/ ˌskɪt səˈfri ni ə, -ˈfrin yə /
noun
Psychiatry. Also called dementia praecox.
a severe mental disorder characterized by some, but not necessarily all, of the following features: emotional blunting, intellectual deterioration, social isolation, disorganized speech and behavior, delusions, and hallucinations.
a state characterized by the coexistence of contradictory or incompatible elements.
OTHER WORDS FROM schizophrenia
schiz·o·phren·ic [skit-suh-fren-ik] /ˌskɪt səˈfrɛn ɪk/, adjective, noun non·schiz·o·phren·ic, adjective un·schiz·o·phren·ic, adjectiveWords nearby schizophrenia
schizomycetes,
schizomycosis,
schizont,
schizonychia,
schizophasia,
schizophrenia,
schizophrenic,
schizophrenogenic,
schizophyceous,
schizophyte,
schizopod
Example sentences from the Web for schizophrenia
British Dictionary definitions for schizophrenia
schizophrenia
/ (ˌskɪtsəʊˈfriːnɪə) /
noun
any of a group of psychotic disorders characterized by progressive deterioration of the personality, withdrawal from reality, hallucinations, delusions, social apathy, emotional instability, etc
See catatonia, hebephrenia, paranoia
informal
behaviour that appears to be motivated by contradictory or conflicting principles
Word Origin for schizophrenia
C20: from
schizo- + Greek
phrēn mind +
-ia
Medical definitions for schizophrenia
schizophrenia
[ skĭt′sə-frē′nē-ə, -frĕn′ē-ə ]
n.
Any of a group of psychotic disorders usually characterized by withdrawal from reality, illogical patterns of thinking, delusions, and hallucinations, and accompanied in varying degrees by other emotional, behavioral, or intellectual disturbances. Schizophrenia is associated with dopamine imbalances in the brain and may have an underlying genetic cause.
Scientific definitions for schizophrenia
schizophrenia
[ skĭt′sə-frē′nē-ə, skĭt′sə- ]
Any of a group of psychiatric disorders characterized by withdrawal from reality, illogical patterns of thinking, delusions, hallucinations, and psychotic behavior. Schizophrenia is associated with an imbalance of the neurotransmitter dopamine in the brain and may have an underlying genetic cause.
Cultural definitions for schizophrenia
schizophrenia
[ (skit-suh-free-nee-uh, skit-suh-fren-ee-uh) ]
A form of psychosis marked by a strong tendency to dissociate oneself from reality. Schizophrenia is often characterized by hallucinations, delusions, and inappropriate reactions to situations. The word schizophrenia is often used informally as well as scientifically to indicate a split personality.