Guest Lecture on Schizophrenia
01 April 2026, Wednesday
01 April 2026, Wednesday
11:00 AM
01:00 PM
Department of Psychology, School of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences, IILM University, Gurugram
Department of Psychology, IILM University, Gurugram
Dr. Aanchal Chaudhary & Ms. Aradhya Sharma
IILM University, Gurugram
The Guest Lecture on Schizophrenia aimed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of schizophrenia — one of the most complex and severe mental health disorders — through a clinical and experience-based approach, enabling students to bridge theoretical knowledge with practical insights from real-world psychiatric settings. The lecture provided a detailed overview of schizophrenia including clinical presentation with positive symptoms (delusions, hallucinations, disorganised thinking), negative symptoms, and cognitive impairments; possible causes including genetic predisposition, neurobiological factors, and psychosocial stressors; the diagnostic process and the importance of differential diagnosis in clinical practice; and various treatment approaches including antipsychotic medications, psychotherapy, and psychosocial rehabilitation. Real-life case examples from clinical practice were shared to help students understand the complexities involved in treatment and patient management, with the session highlighting the importance of family and social support in improving patient outcomes and the need to reduce stigma associated with severe mental illnesses to encourage empathetic and ethical practice. An interactive discussion saw students raise questions related to symptom differentiation, treatment challenges, relapse prevention, and stigma associated with schizophrenia, with the speaker addressing queries with practical insights and the discussion emphasising ethical practice, patient dignity, and continuous care in mental health settings. The lecture concluded with a vote of thanks, with students reflecting on their learning and appreciating the opportunity to interact with a practising senior psychologist, and the session successfully bridging the gap between theoretical concepts and clinical application. Signed by Dr. Aanchal Chaudhary (Assistant Professor & Program Coordinator, PG) and Ms. Aradhya Sharma (Assistant Professor & MA Mentor, 2024 Batch).
Students developed a deeper understanding of schizophrenia and its complex symptomatology — including positive symptoms, negative symptoms, and cognitive impairments — and gained insight into clinical practices and real-life challenges in diagnosing and managing the disorder through real case examples shared by a practising senior psychologist. The session enhanced awareness about the importance of early intervention and long-term care in managing schizophrenia, and developed sensitivity toward individuals living with severe mental illness alongside the ethical obligations of clinical practice. The interactive discussion allowed students to raise questions about symptom differentiation, treatment challenges, relapse prevention, and stigma — gaining practical insights that deepened their clinical preparation beyond what textbook study alone can provide. Students were encouraged to approach mental health practice with empathy, professionalism, and scientific understanding, with the emphasis on patient dignity and continuous care establishing a professional ethical orientation directly applicable to their future clinical roles. The valedictory vote of thanks gave students an opportunity to reflect on their learning and express appreciation for the rare opportunity to interact directly with a practising psychologist from a specialist psychiatric setting.