Abstract

Schizophrenia is a common, often life-long disorder, beginning mostly in early adulthood. It has remarkably negative effects on personal, familial, somatic, and social well-being. Outcomes range from recovery to chronic disability. Subtle premorbid deviances in motor, cognitive, emotional, and behavioral domains exist. Continuous symptomatology, brain matter loss, cognitive deterioration, excess somatic comorbidity, and premature mortality are seen throughout the life span. The proportion achieving full recovery is small (13.5%) and appears to be stable over recent decades. Many aged individuals with schizophrenia have a favorable clinical and social course. A gap exists in the areas of health and adult creative potential between people with and without schizophrenia. We have an incomplete understanding of the disease mechanisms, lifelong natural course and of how to optimize care during the life span. Current evidence-based treatments have moderate effects and are used insufficiently.