The concept of schizophrenia has undergone many changes since its first inception in the early 20th century. Basically, the concept has stood the tests of time, as it provides useful information about the clinical picture, the clinical course and the available treatment modalities. Any alternative concept will need to show that it provides similar information. The concept has also been useful to establish evidence–based guidelines for diagnosis and treatment, and to provide valuable information as regards psychosocial outcomes. In addition, recent genetic and neurophysiological studies have shown that common grounds of aetiopathogenesis can be identified, in that schizophrenia is a mental disorder with some genetic influences and a common pathway in complex disturbances of brain circuits due to altered neurotranmission. Current research focuses on identifying biomarkers for early detection, another area of mental healthcare in which a staging model of schizophrenia proved useful. This presentation will highlight the most pertinent arguments for keeping schizophrenia as a useful diagnostic and therapeutic concept of a mental disorder.