Chapter 1
Women and Men Living With Schizophrenia:
Understanding Emotional and Relational Differences
This chapter invites you to follow a warm and open conversation about some of the sensitive aspects of living with schizophrenia, how the illness may affect women and men in similar or different ways, and how these differences can shape emotions, closeness, relationships, and family life.
Mini-Glossary
Psychosis: A mental state in which perception of reality may be altered, sometimes involving
hallucinations, unusual beliefs, or confusion about what is real.
Negative symptoms: Symptoms that involve a reduction in normal emotional or behavioral functioning, such as
reduced facial expression, lower motivation, or social withdrawal.
Social cognition: The brain’s ability to interpret other people’s emotions, facial expressions, intentions, and
social signals.
Affective symptoms: Emotional symptoms such as anxiety, sadness, irritability, or mood changes.
Relapse: The return or worsening of symptoms after a period of stability.
Caregiver: A family member, partner, or friend who provides practical or emotional support to a
person living with an illness.
Emotional regulation: The ability to manage and respond to emotional experiences in a balanced way.
Intimacy: Emotional closeness, trust, and vulnerability shared between people in a relationship.
Welcome to podcast #1
Understanding emotional and relational differences in women and men living with schizophrenia
with Elena Maurer, Health Journalist, and
Dr. Lukas Stein, Psychiatrist and Researcher
Elena:
Welcome to Living, Loving, Recovering, the podcast where we talk openly about what it means to support a loved one living with schizophrenia.
Today, we’re exploring something many families notice, but often find difficult to put into words:
Do women and men experience schizophrenia differently, and how might these differences shape closeness and relationships?
To help us better understand this, I’m joined by psychiatrist and researcher Dr. Lukas Stein.
Thank you for being here, Dr. Stein.
Dr. Stein:
Thank you, Elena. And thank you to everyone listening, caregivers, partners, and family members. Your presence and involvement truly make a difference in the recovery journey.
This is an important topic, and one that is often overlooked.
We don’t always speak openly about the emotional and intimate aspects of schizophrenia, even though they play a central role in relationships, in a person’s sense of dignity, and in long-term well-being.
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