Schizophrenia

The Schizophrenia course is a five-unit program designed to provide a structured and thorough understanding of this serious mental health disorder. Each unit addresses a critical aspect of schizophrenia, progressing from foundational knowledge to advanced clinical management.

Unit 1: Introduction, Epidemiology, and Pathogenesis
This unit introduces schizophrenia as a debilitating psychiatric syndrome, outlining its global prevalence, socio-economic burden, and diagnostic complexity. Students will explore the various biological, genetic, and psychosocial theories behind its pathogenesis—including dopamine dysregulation, neurodevelopmental factors, and environmental influences.

Unit 2: Clinical Presentation and Diagnosis
Here, learners delve into the clinical manifestations of schizophrenia across its stages: premorbid, prodromal, acute, and chronic. Key symptom classifications—positive, negative, and cognitive—are examined alongside hallmark features such as hallucinations, delusions, and thought disorders. The unit also covers diagnostic challenges and behavioural impacts.

Unit 3: Approaches to Management
This unit presents a holistic, multidisciplinary framework for managing schizophrenia. It emphasises early detection, risk assessment, and shared decision-making. Learners are guided through first-episode psychosis protocols, antipsychotic selection, monitoring, and long-term treatment strategies, including psychosocial rehabilitation and recovery-focused care.

Unit 4: Psychological Therapies and the Role of GPs
Learners explore the application of evidence-based psychological therapies—including CBT and psychoeducation—in improving patient outcomes. The unit also highlights the pivotal role of general practitioners in coordinating care, supporting families, managing comorbidities, and sustaining engagement through chronic phases.

Unit 5: Complex Presentations and Ethical Considerations
The final unit addresses difficult cases involving treatment resistance, co-occurring substance use, and ethical dilemmas in schizophrenia care. It encourages reflective practice and equips learners with the tools to navigate legal, cultural, and consent-related challenges in real-world clinical settings.