What does schizophrenic mean?
Schizophrenic is an adjective relating to or characterized by schizophrenia, a psychiatric disorder involving symptoms such as delusions, hallucinations, disorganized thinking, and, in some cases, unusual or impaired functioning. It was also formerly used as a noun for a person with the disorder, but that use is now dated and regarded as stigmatizing; “person with schizophrenia” is preferred. In professional and person-first contexts, descriptions such as “a schizophrenic patient” are generally avoided in favor of wording that identifies the person first. The adjective can still occur naturally in established clinical expressions, including “schizophrenic symptoms” and “schizophrenic psychosis.” Figuratively, it may describe reasoning that appears self-contradictory, although this informal use can trivialize mental illness. The word should not be confused with schizoid, which refers to certain personality characteristics, or treated as a general synonym for psychosis. Its history reflects an early twentieth-century attempt to describe the fragmentation of thought and perception associated with the disorder.
Relating to or characterized by schizophrenia.
"The clinician documented recurrent schizophrenic symptoms and ordered further psychiatric assessment."
In person-first writing, prefer phrasing such as “with schizophrenia” when referring to an individual.
A person with schizophrenia; this use is dated and potentially stigmatizing.
"The term is now avoided as a noun because “person with schizophrenia” is considered more respectful."
Use “person with schizophrenia” or “people with schizophrenia” instead.
This plural belongs to the dated noun usage and is generally avoided because it can be stigmatizing. Prefer “people with schizophrenia.”
"Older clinical texts sometimes referred to patients as schizophrenics, but current usage avoids that label."
Despite its Greek roots meaning “split” and “mind,” schizophrenia does not mean multiple personalities—a persistent misconception.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does schizophrenic come from?
The word was formed from Greek roots meaning “to split” and “mind.” Swiss psychiatrist Eugen Bleuler introduced the term “schizophrenia” in 1911, replacing the older diagnosis “dementia praecox”; the adjective “schizophrenic” was subsequently formed from that term. Related words such as “schizoid” and “schizotypal” share the same Greek-derived splitting root but denote different clinical concepts.
Related word forms
How schizophrenic is actually used
In formal and person-first usage, prefer “person with schizophrenia” or “people with schizophrenia” to the noun use of “schizophrenic,” and prefer “with schizophrenia” to phrases such as “schizophrenic patient” or “schizophrenic individual.” The adjective remains common in clinical discussion, especially in established compound terms, but should not be treated as synonymous with all psychosis. Figurative uses to describe contradictory thinking are informal and may be considered stigmatizing.
Easily confused with schizophrenic
Schizophrenia is the psychiatric disorder, whereas schizophrenic is an adjective relating to it or, in dated usage, a noun for a person with the disorder.
Schizoid describes personality traits characterized by detachment and limited emotional expression, while schizophrenic relates specifically to schizophrenia.