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Schizophrenia is a most interesting and vexing disease. Its prevalence is high (0.85 percent), its economic impact is severe, and the disease processes undermine a myriad of brain functions, causing distinctively human impairments. Patients have altered perception, false beliefs, disturbance of thought, and often remarkably reduced drive, inability to initiate action, and restriction in emotional experience and expression. Illness usually begins early in life and is long-lasting. The cause, cure, and prevention of schizophrenia are not yet understood, but there have been substantial advances in comprehending and treating this illness. Recent developments involving new antipsychotic medications, empirically validated psychosocial treatment,
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