Schizophrenia spectrum and other psychotic disorders

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Psychiatry
• Gender Studies

Background:

• Schizophrenia has historically been viewed as a disorder primarily affecting young men.
• Emerging research indicates significant sex and gender differences across the psychopathology spectrum, including schizophrenia.
• These differences are transdiagnostic, suggesting broader implications for understanding mental health conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To selectively summarize sex/gender differences in schizophrenia.
• To cover clinical expression, epidemiology, risk factors, treatment, course, and outcome.
• To advocate for a transdiagnostic framework informed by sex and gender in clinical practice.

Main Methods:

• Literature review and selective summarization of existing research on sex/gender differences in schizophrenia.
• Focus on transdiagnostic and general psychopathology differences.
• Synthesis of findings related to clinical expression, epidemiology, risk factors, treatment, and outcomes.

Main Results:

• Consistent sex differences observed in schizophrenia include age of onset, brain anomalies, and hormonal influences.
• These observed differences are not unique to schizophrenia and may extend to psychopathology generally.
• Sex and gender play a role in the clinical expression, epidemiology, and treatment of schizophrenia.

Conclusions:

• Clinicians should adopt a transdiagnostic framework when treating individuals with schizophrenia.
• This framework must be informed by an understanding of sex and gender role processes.
• Recognizing sex and gender differences is essential for comprehensive schizophrenia care.