The course of schizophrenia varies from one patient to another. It is a chronic illness and complete cure (i.e. no need to take medication) is rare. About 25% of schizophrenic patients have complete remissions, about 10% remain severely psychotic, and others are with minor residual symptoms or alternate between impairment and acute psychotic lapses.

There are enormous variables that affect the outcome of the illness, such as functioning before the onset of the illness, type of symptoms, familial and sociocultural context.