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Psst. Listen to me

what you need to know about schizophrenia

Psst. Listen tome what you need to know about schizophrenia

What is Schizophrenia?

Schizophrenia is a severe brain disorder in which people interpret reality abnormally. Schizophrenia may result in some combination of hallucinations, delusions, and extremely disordered thinking and behavior. No one is 100% what causes this disorder but they think that it is a combination of genetics and environment contributes to development of the disorder.
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Myths


  • Schizophrenia is hopeless; people who have it never recover.
  • Hallucinations (seeing, hearing or experiencing things that others do not) and paranoia are the only symptoms of schizophrenia.
  • People with schizophrenia are dangerous.
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Truths


  • While there is no cure for schizophrenia, there are effective treatments. Medications, recovery-oriented psychosocial treatments and rehabilitation practices are increasingly helping people with schizophrenia to lead productive, successful and independent lives.


  • Schizophrenia is brain-based disease, so in addition to hallucinations, it affects multiple brain functions, such as the ability to think clearly, manage emotions, make decisions and relate to others.
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Symptoms

  • Delusions
  • Hallucinations
  • Incoherence
  • Catatonic or hyperactive behavior

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Statistics

  • 1.2% of Americans (3.2 million) have the disorder. About 1.5 million people will be diagnosed with schizophrenia this year around the world

  • Schizophrenia is the most severe of the mental illnesses and can affect all spheres of life, including perception, thought, judgement, mood, drive and ultimately, personality.

  • Approximately fifteen people in every thousand will be affected over their lifetime.

  • Schizophrenia is ten times more common than AIDS, cot death and melanoma combined.

  • The majority of people will develop schizophrenia between the ages of 15 and 30 - during their most formative years. However, this average does not exclude younger or older people from developing schizophrenia.
  • Approximately 5 -10% of people diagnosed with schizophrenia will end their own lives. This is roughly 12 times the national average and means that approximately 18,000 Australians alive today will suicide as a result of schizophrenia.
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Helpful Hotline

If you or someone you know is struggling with schizophrenia or any mental illness call this hotline.

Website: www.nimh.nih.gov
Phone: (703) 524-7600