Prognosis of Schizophrenia

Although it is difficult to predict with certainty the course that an individual's Schizophrenia will take, there are several factors that seem to predict a more difficult course with poorer functional outcomes. These factors include:

• Experiencing higher levels of positive and negative symptoms and of depressive symptoms [ref]
  • Negative symptoms in particular seem to predict a worse outcome [ref]
• Having cognitive deficits [ref]
• Being male [ref]
• The disorder having begun insidiously, with a long prodromal phase [ref]
• Using cannabis [ref]
• Living in a Western developed nation [ref]
• Having greater functional impairments early on in the course of the illness [ref]
• Having already had a longer course of Schizophrenia predicts that the condition will remain chronic [ref]

Early detection and treatment of Schizophrenia can improve outcomes

There is evidence to suggest that greater chances of improvement and recovery exist when Schizophrenia is diagnosed and treated as early as possible after the condition develops [ref].

Early treatment is more likely to happen in communities where there is easy access to mental health services, and also where there exist special outreach programs that encourage individuals with psychosis to seek treatment as soon as possible.