One of the main problems for people with schizophrenia is getting a job or going to school regularly, according to a new Irish survey.

It also shows that 85 per cent of people with schizophrenia believe that their symptoms are more effectively treated with newer drug treatments.

The results show that people with schizophrenia have major difficulties in: getting a job or going to school regularly (93 per cent), having a normal family life (88 per cent), achieving life goals (83 per cent) and keeping relationships with friends and relatives (83 per cent).

Problems with having a sexual relationship and being treated normally also ranked high in the list of other difficulties.

In terms of medication, people with schizophrenia want their medication not to have side effects, they do not want to feel depressed or tired and want good control of delusions or hallucinations.

Schizophrenia is a disabling mental illness which is characterised by acute episodes of delusions and hallucinations as well as long-term impairments such as diminished emotion, low motivation, general lack of interest and depressive symptoms.

It is estimated that one in every 100 people suffer from the condition.

The study looked at the use of older drug treatments versus newer ones which claim better symptom control.

In the study, 85 per cent of patients claimed that their delusions, hallucinations, disorganised behaviour and agitation were treated better with their newer treatment than with their previous medication.

Irish patients who took part in the study were found to be on older treatments for schizophrenia for a longer period than their European counterparts.

In the study, part of a pan-European research project, 40 Irish patients took part from around the country. The research was funded by the pharmaceutical firm Eli Lilly & Co.