ABSTRACT
Schizophrenia (literally 'split mind') is a term introduced by Eugen Bleuler in 1911 to describe a particular psychotic condition. The stress of poverty or marital breakdown may contribute to the onset of schizophrenia, but on the other hand schizophrenic behavior may be a factor causing poverty and marital discord. Schizophrenia is characterized by loss of contact with reality. Some people with schizophrenia show poverty of speech, characterized by brief and content-free replies. Schizophrenia is generally regarded as multifactorial in origin. The physical environment influences the onset of schizophrenia. Although pioneers in the field of schizophrenia in the early 20th century, such as Bleuler and Kraepelin, believed schizophrenia results from an organic brain disorder, this underlying pathology is unclear. The negative symptoms seen in schizophrenia are similar to those often seen following brain damage, and are often accompanied by clear neurological symptoms and signs, such as altered reflexes and eye movement peculiarities.
