Understanding of the term "schizophrenia"by the British public.

Abstract

A postal survey of a representative sample of UK adults was conducted. Subjects were asked "What do you understand by the term 'schizophrenia'?".Four hundred four completed questionnaires were received (81% response rate). Forty-two percent of respondents mentionedat least one first rank symptom of schizophrenia or gave a description that reasonably approximated to any diagnostic feature as stated inICD-10. Forty percent mentioned "split" or "multiple" personality. Thirty-eight percent described auditory hallucinations or "hearing voices".Fifteen percent mentioned "delusions" or described passivity experiences. Only 6% of subjects mentioned violence in their descriptions.