Overview of Schizophrenia
Schizophrenia is a mental illness that makes it hard to tell the difference between what is real and what is imaginary. The whole world can feel very confusing.
Sometimes, people with Schizophrenia hear or see things that aren’t really there. These are called “hallucinations,” and often take the form of “voices” that only the person with Schizophrenia can hear.
Their minds can “play tricks” on them, and make them believe things that aren’t actually true.
They may think that they are in danger, when they are actually safe
They may think that they have special powers
They may believe that they are receiving special messages through newspapers, TV, or radio
Sometimes, people with schizophrenia become so confused that the words they say don’t make sense to anyone else who is listening.
Because of everything going on in their brain, people with schizophrenia might start to act differently.
They may become aggressive with other people
They may talk to themselves
They may want to spend more time alone, and may not talk as much as they used to
They may have a hard time managing daily activities, like chores and showering
They may have a harder time at work or school than they did before the illness
Treatment may not take all of the symptoms of schizophrenia away, but it can make them much milder. People with schizophrenia can live happy and fulfilling lives.
More Information on Schizophrenia
Schizophrenia is classified by the DSM* as one of the “psychotic disorders.” The term “psychosis” refers, broadly speaking, to a difficulty telling the difference between what is real and what is not. Schizophrenia can present with a variety of symptoms, and it is not necessary to have every symptom in order to be diagnosed with Schizophrenia. Every person is unique, and everyone’s experience of Schizophrenia will be unique as well.
The most commonly known symptoms of Schizophrenia are hallucinations and delusions. The term “hallucination” refers to the sensory experience of something that is not really there (either through seeing, hearing, or feeling). In Schizophrenia, the most common hallucinations by far are auditory hallucinations, often described as “hearing voices.” Sometimes these voices will say friendly, positive things; other times, they may say negative things, which can be frightening or insulting to a person. For some people with Schizophrenia, the voices may tell them to do things. Popular culture and media portrayals of Schizophrenia often depict voices as commanding people to do things that are negative (such as hurting other people), but some individuals with Schizophrenia report that their voices tell them to do positive, productive things. At times, an individual may respond verbally to the voices they hear, and from the outside, it looks as though they are “talking to themselves.”
“Delusions” are fixed, false beliefs. Delusions can take many forms. Sometimes, people with Schizophrenia may believe that someone is following them or trying to hurt them, known as “persecutory” delusions. Though many people with Schizophrenia are not aggressive at all, when a person with Schizophrenia does become aggressive, it is often because they genuinely believe that they are in danger. Other times, individuals with Schizophrenia may believe that they have special powers or abilities, known as “grandiose delusions.” Some individuals with Schizophrenia believe that they receive special messages through an outside medium, such as the newspaper or TV; these are called “ideas of reference.” The content of delusions can be very different for each person, but what all delusions have in common is that they are “fixed.” It can be very difficult to try to convince a person that their delusion is false, and this can cause significant stress in relationships.
The next two major symptoms of Schizophrenia refer to “disorganization,” either of speech or behavior. For people without schizophrenia, words and thoughts tend to flow in a way that is generally logical and easy to understand. For a person with Schizophrenia, however, their speech may shift from one topic to another so quickly that it becomes difficult for an outside listener to follow. In severe cases, each word may seem disconnected from the one that came before it, making it almost impossible to understand what the person is saying. This can be one of the most painful symptoms of Schizophrenia, both for the person with Schizophrenia and for those around them, because it makes communication very difficult and can lead to frustration and misunderstanding. Disorganized behavior refers to actions that do not seem to have a clear purpose, and that do not connect to each other (such as wandering, hoarding, or making unusual gestures). Additionally, individuals with Schizophrenia may also have trouble with daily tasks such as showering, cleaning, and eating a proper diet.
The final category of symptoms in Schizophrenia is called “negative symptoms,” referring to a loss of personality traits, or abilities that a person once had. Sometimes, individuals with Schizophrenia may become more isolated from their friends and families, and will want to spend a large amount of time alone. They may develop cognitive difficulties, which can make it hard to complete schoolwork or function at their jobs. They may also display less emotion on the surface than they once did, giving the outward appearance of a “flat” affect.
Treatment for Schizophrenia may not take away all the symptoms, but it can have a very positive effect on an individual’s life. While every individual is different, most people with Schizophrenia will find that a combination of medication and therapy is most helpful in reducing upsetting symptoms and helping them reconnect to things they enjoy. People with Schizophrenia can lead very fulfilling lives, which can include jobs and meaningful relationships.
***If you or someone you know is having thoughts about hurting yourself or someone else, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room immediately.This content is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider vwith any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.***
For more information and resources, please consider visiting:
https://www.nami.org/About-Mental-Illness/Mental-Health-Conditions/Schizophrenia
*Information related to specific diagnostic criteria is based on the DSM. For a complete, formal description of diagnostic criteria, please consult the original text:
American Psychiatric Association: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition. Arlington, VA: American Psychiatric Association, 2013.