Published on October 5, 2026
Schizophrenia is a psychotic disorder that alters how a person thinks, feels and perceives reality. Many liken it to the condition represented by Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde in Robert Louis Stevenson’s novel, “The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.” But is it? Read this blog to find out more.
The word “schizophrenia” is often linked to the condition described in Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic tale, The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. In this tale, the primary character alternates between two identities, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.
However, schizophrenia is quite different. It does not transform individuals into different identities. Patients with schizophrenia experience a disconnect between thoughts, emotions, and what is reality, not a division into separate personalities.
So what is Schizophrenia?
Schizophrenia is a psychotic disorder that alters how persons think, perceive and processes the world around them. Affected individuals may suffer from periods during which they find it difficult to determine what is real and what is not.
The symptoms of schizophrenia are usually classified as:
- Positive Symptoms (“Added” Experiences): These include:
- Hearing, seeing or feeling things that are not really present, called hallucinations.
- Fixed beliefs held despite contradictory evidence, called delusions. For example, patients may believe that they are under surveillance despite having evidence that it is untrue.
- Disorganized speech and thought, where conversation jumps erratically between unrelated subjects.
- Agitation or being physically rigid, at times.
- Negative Symptoms (“Lost” Capabilities): These reflect a reduction or loss of normal emotional and behavioral functions. They may include:
- Reduced emotional expression, characterized by an immobile face and a monotonous voice.
- Severe loss of motivation.
- Difficulty experiencing pleasure.
- Social withdrawal.
- Cognitive Deficits: These include difficulties with:
- Daily functioning.
- Working memory.
- Paying sustained attention.
As a result, patients may experience challenges with following complex instructions or processing newly learned information.
Patients may be completely normal between relapses. Over time, however, symptoms may persist between psychotic episodes, affecting day-to-day functioning.
Can Schizophrenia be treated?
Before confirming a diagnosis of schizophrenia, medical causes that cause similar symptoms must be excluded. These may include autoimmune encephalitis, brain tumors, multiple sclerosis, and neurodegenerative disorders.
While schizophrenia is a lifelong illness, it can be controlled with medications and psychotherapy. With comprehensive care and family support, many individuals with schizophrenia live fully productive and independent lives.
References
Luvsannyam, E., Jain, M. S., Pormento, M. K. L., Siddiqui, H., Balagtas, A. R. A., Emuze, B. O., & Poprawski, T. (2022). Neurobiology of Schizophrenia: A Comprehensive Review. Cureus. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.23959
Rahman, T., & Lauriello, J. (2016). Schizophrenia: An Overview. Focus, 14(3), 300–307. https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.focus.20160006
Stępnicki, P., Kondej, M., & Kaczor, A. A. (2018). Current Concepts and Treatments of Schizophrenia. Molecules, 23(8), 2087. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules23082087
https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/schizophrenia
Stevenson, R. L. (1886). Strange case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde. Longmans, Green & Co.
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