Schizophrenia is a mental disorder that leads to significant impairment of functioning as early as adolescence: although the onset is usually in adulthood, the first signs can also be detected in the school period. Schizophrenia has a more pronounced biological correlation than other psychiatric pathologies: the literature shows a significant degree of familiarity, and the correlation between the main symptoms of the disorder and dopaminergic dysregulation is now known and scientifically demonstrated. The disorder is characterized by a loss of contact with reality with symptoms that are defined as “productive” such as: hallucinations, mainly auditory or visual (e.g. commenting voices), delusions (attachment to false beliefs that cannot be rationally corrected), impaired cognitive functioning, behavioral oddities and difficulties in interpersonal relationships.

The causes, in addition to the biological aspects already mentioned, which remain of significant importance, may also be related to environmental and family aspects of a traumatic nature. The sphere of therapies indicated for schizophrenia often requires the use of drugs, including antipsychotics. In addition to drug therapy, a rehabilitative and psycho-educational intervention with the patient and his or her family is fundamental.