Slightly more men get diagnosed with the condition. Women often get diagnosed later in life than men. In general, the clinical signs of schizophrenia are less severe for women. Some research suggests that the course of the disease tends to be worse in men.
Schizophrenia is typically diagnosed in the late teens years to early thirties, and tends to emerge earlier in males (late adolescence – early twenties) than females (early twenties – early thirties). More subtle changes in cognition and social relationships may precede the actual diagnosis, often by years.
Men may be more susceptible to schizophrenia at a younger age than women potentially because women have higher levels of estrogen, according to a 2021 study. Estrogen helps regulate important neurotransmitters that play a role in schizophrenia onset, but the neuroprotective relationship is not well understood.
Disease presentation. Among patients with schizophrenia, males have a greater risk of experiencing prominent negative symptoms, while females display more affective symptoms, including depression, impulsivity, emotional instability, sexual misconduct and sexual delusions.
Gender is correlated with the prevalence of certain mental disorders, including depression, anxiety and somatic complaints. For example, women are more likely to be diagnosed with major depression, while men are more likely to be diagnosed with substance abuse and antisocial personality disorder.
Statistics about women and girls' mental health
Today, women are three times more likely than men to experience common mental health problems.
Although schizophrenia can occur at any age, the average age of onset tends to be in the late teens to the early 20s for men, and the late 20s to early 30s for women. It is uncommon for schizophrenia to be diagnosed in a person younger than 12 or older than 40.
Most of the studies found the age of onset to be earlier in men than in women. Findings on symptoms are less conclusive, with some authors suggesting that men suffer more negative symptoms while women have more affective symptoms. Premorbid functioning and social functioning seem to be better in females than males.
Risk factors
Having a family history of schizophrenia. Some pregnancy and birth complications, such as malnutrition or exposure to toxins or viruses that may impact brain development. Taking mind-altering (psychoactive or psychotropic) drugs during teen years and young adulthood.
The symptoms of schizophrenia are usually classified into: positive symptoms – any change in behaviour or thoughts, such as hallucinations or delusions. negative symptoms – where people appear to withdraw from the world around then, take no interest in everyday social interactions, and often appear emotionless and flat.
Unfortunately, most people with schizophrenia are unaware that their symptoms are warning signs of a mental disorder. Their lives may be unraveling, yet they may believe that their experiences are normal. Or they may feel that they're blessed or cursed with special insights that others can't see.
The exact causes of schizophrenia are unknown. Research suggests a combination of physical, genetic, psychological and environmental factors can make a person more likely to develop the condition. Some people may be prone to schizophrenia, and a stressful or emotional life event might trigger a psychotic episode.
Affecting about 1 percent of the population, schizophrenia is known to be as much as 90 percent heritable, yet discovering how specific genes work to confer risk has proven elusive, until now.
You're more likely to get schizophrenia if someone in your family has it. If it's a parent, brother, or sister, your chances go up by 10%. If both your parents have it, you have a 40% chance of getting it.
What Is the Typical Age of Onset for Schizophrenia? Men and women are equally likely to get this brain disorder, but guys tend to get it slightly earlier. On average, men are diagnosed in their late teens to early 20s. Women tend to get diagnosed in their late 20s to early 30s.
As is the case with many major neuropsychiatric illnesses, the typical age of onset for schizophrenia is in late adolescence or early twenties, with a slightly later onset in females.
The truth is that while schizophrenia is influenced by genetics, it isn't directly inherited.
The most common early warning signs include:
Depression, social withdrawal. Hostility or suspiciousness, extreme reaction to criticism. Deterioration of personal hygiene. Flat, expressionless gaze.
Schizophrenia affects approximately 24 million people or 1 in 300 people (0.32%) worldwide. This rate is 1 in 222 people (0.45%) among adults (2). It is not as common as many other mental disorders.
A few 47,XXY cases with a female phenotype have been reported. These individuals have positive SRY (testis-determining factor). The genetic explanation of this phenomenon is unclear. Case: A 34-year-old woman presented with testicular feminization and a 47,XXY karyotype.
Each person normally has one pair of sex chromosomes in each cell. The Y chromosome is present in males, who have one X and one Y chromosome, while females have two X chromosomes.
A rare genetic condition in which people who have an X chromosome and a Y chromosome (the usual pattern for males) look female. They have normal female reproductive organs, including a uterus, fallopian tubes, and vagina.