Psychopathy and schizophrenia are both frequently represented in popular culture—in thrillers and on TV shows—and they are both significantly more common among men than women, with the result that they are often confused and conflated. However, psychopathy and schizophrenia are two very different conditions.
Someone with schizophrenia typically suffers hallucinations whereby they are sure they see or hear something or someone that is not really there. They can often find it very diffi
cult to distinguish between these hallucinations and reality and, as a result, they can develop false beliefs and confused thinking, and can act in strange and unpredictable ways. Often, their delusions can be frightening and threatening, and people with schizophrenia can experience the world as a very scary place, in which they struggle to function normally, often neglecting to attend to their hygiene when they are unwell, and finding it difficult to sustain a normal conversation. Schizophrenia is a serious mental illness, probably due to both genetic and environmental factors, that is typically treated with anti-psychotic drugs. Undiagnosed schizophrenics often “self-medicate” with alcohol and other legal and illegal substances. The condition often initially manifests in young adulthood, and persists throughout the patient’s life, sometimes requiring periods of hospital treatment during particularly serious episodes. The popular notion of someone with schizophrenia as having a “split personality” or “multiple personalities” is false.
Psychopathy (which is often considered to be the same thing as sociopathy) is an untreatable disorder that is manifested in a small percentage of the population. A psychopath is a person who does not experience empathy, typically does not feel remorse, is often antisocial, and can have an egoistic, exaggerated view of their own value and capacity. People with psychopathy are not delusional, although they typically find it very difficult to see things from others’ points of view. It can be a difficult condition to diagnose, as psychopaths are often good at presenting as normal, and frequently do not self-identify as having a problem requiring support or help. They may react in a hostile or angry fashion to the suggestion that they require psychiatric help. Psychopathy cannot be treated with medication, and therapy introduces the risk that the psychopath may simply become better at manipulating others. However, it is certainly not a given that all psychopaths will become involved in criminal activities and, while they are disproportionately likely to be involved in instigating violence, they are also disproportionately likely to themselves die violently or in an accident. The key traits they often display—boldness, disinhibition, and meanness—can actually be useful in a range of professional contexts. While they are over-represented in serial killer populations, for example, they can also be highly successful in the worlds of business, the military, or politics, and often don’t ever commit any crimes at all if they can find a way to legally channel their personal qualities.
While popular culture does a great deal to inform the public about issues such as mental illness and addiction, unfortunately it often gets a lot wrong! To understand the complex conditions under discussion here, it’s important to read reliable sources and talk to the professionals.
WHO CAN I SPEAK TO FURTHER ABOUT PSYCHOPATHY OR SCHIZOPHRENIA?
For help with psychopathy and schizophreniaspeak to one of our therapistshere at Private Therapy Clinic for a free initial chat or to make an appointment.
FAQs
Medication and therapy can help manage the symptoms of schizophrenia, and in many cases, people with schizophrenia can pursue their goals, have healthy relationships, keep jobs, and be productive members of their communities.
What is the best therapy for schizophrenia? ›
The main type of talking therapy recommended for the treatment of schizophrenia is cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), which helps you identify and change any negative thoughts or behaviour that is making your life hard.
Is there a link between schizophrenia and psychopathy? ›
The level of psychopathy, as measured by the PCL-SV, correlated with level of violence in 100 hospitalized patients with schizophrenia. In another study,6 psychopathy scores were higher for violent patients with schizophrenia than for nonviolent patients.
What is the best group therapy for schizophrenia? ›
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
This therapy focuses on identifying and challenging cognitive symptoms, like negative thought patterns and behavior associated with schizophrenia.
Does schizophrenia qualify for disability? ›
The SSA can assist a person with schizophrenia as the administration considers it a disability. To qualify for disability benefits, a person with schizophrenia will have to meet the SSA criteria and show that their condition is persistent and severe and prevents them from engaging in substantial gainful activity.
What is the most common cause of death in schizophrenics patients? ›
Moreover, cardiovascular disease is the main cause of death in patients with psychotic disorders [35]. There is evidence that patients with schizophrenia die about 10 years earlier than the general population due to cardiovascular disease, including coronary heart disease [36].
What drug is most used for schizophrenia? ›
Haloperidol, fluphenazine, and chlorpromazine are known as conventional, or typical, antipsychotics and have been used to treat schizophrenia for years. However, they sometimes have movement-related side effects, such as tremors and dystonia, a condition that causes involuntary muscle contractions.
What is the new drug for schizophrenia? ›
In November, the Boston-based biotech firm Karuna Therapeutics submitted its new schizophrenia medication, called KarXT, to the US Food and Drug Administration for approval. If the agency gives KarXT the green light, the drug will be the first truly new treatment for schizophrenia in decades.
What activities are good for schizophrenics? ›
Encourage them to participate in one-to-one activities, for example card games, chess, jigsaw puzzles, walking. Don't leave them alone after a hospital visit. When someone with schizophrenia has been in hospital, the first week back at home can be very hard emotionally.
Which personality disorder is closest to schizophrenia? ›
Schizotypal personality disorder can easily be confused with schizophrenia, a severe mental illness in which people lose contact with reality (psychosis).
Psychopathy presents a fascinating paradox: a profound lack of morality and poor behavioral controls in the presence of intact general intellectual functioning and the absence of delusional or psychotic symptoms (Cleckley, 1976).
How many psychopaths have schizophrenia? ›
In general forensic patient populations, the reported overlap between psychopathy and schizophrenia or psychotic disorders is no more than 4 percent (19,20,21).
What is the most promising treatment for schizophrenia? ›
Now, a United States-based biotech organisation called Karuna Therapeutics Inc. has developed a new combination drug called KarXT. It is the first potential new pharmacological approach for treating schizophrenia in over 50 years and may provide an alternative option for people living with the condition.
What therapy is not effective for schizophrenia? ›
The lack of evidence for the efficacy of psychodynamic therapies in schizophrenia has also been confirmed by a recent meta-analysis of Malmberg and Fenton.
Which type of therapist would be most beneficial in treating schizophrenia? ›
Cognitive behavioral therapy can also help people with schizophrenia to develop better social and problem-solving skills, reduce the severity of symptoms, and lower the risk of relapse, a period of time when schizophrenia symptoms return.
Is it safe to live with someone with schizophrenia? ›
Most people with schizophrenia are harmless to others. They're more likely to hurt themselves than anybody else. Sometimes that includes trying to take their own life. You should take any suicidal talk seriously, and pay attention to poems, notes, or any other things your loved one creates that are about death.
How long does it take for SCH to resolve? ›
A subchorionic hematoma can be considered large if it is greater than 50% of the size of the gestation sac, medium if it is 20-50%, and small if it is less than 20%. Large hematomas by size (>30-50%) and volume (>50 mL) worsen the patient's prognosis. Hematomas may resolve over 1-2 weeks.
What percent of people with schizophrenia live normal lives? ›
Schizophrenia Recovery
Some people do recover “fully” from schizophrenia. Ten years after diagnosis: 50% of people with schizophrenia recover or improve to the point they can work and live on their own. 25% are better but need help from a strong support network to get by.
How long does a person with schizophrenia live? ›
The studies concluded that men with schizophrenia lose an average of 15.9 years of life, and women with schizophrenia lose around 13.6 years. These findings show that, on average, men with schizophrenia have an average life expectancy of 59.9 years and women 67.6 years.
cult to distinguish between these hallucinations and reality and, as a result, they can develop false beliefs and confused thinking, and can act in strange and unpredictable ways. Often, their delusions can be frightening and threatening, and people with schizophrenia can experience the world as a very scary place, in which they struggle to function normally, often neglecting to attend to their hygiene when they are unwell, and finding it difficult to sustain a normal conversation. Schizophrenia is a serious mental illness, probably due to both genetic and environmental factors, that is typically treated with anti-psychotic drugs. Undiagnosed schizophrenics often “self-medicate” with alcohol and other legal and illegal substances. The condition often initially manifests in young adulthood, and persists throughout the patient’s life, sometimes requiring periods of hospital treatment during particularly serious episodes. The popular notion of someone with schizophrenia as having a “split personality” or “multiple personalities” is false.