Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia is...

1. A psychotic disorder

Schizophrenia makes it very difficult for the sufferer to differentiate imagination from reality. Dreams, thoughts and perceptions become mixed up with actual events. 

2. Split into two different types of symptoms

Schizophrenia is a complex mental disorder, and the way it is diagnosed reflects this. The symptoms are split into two different categories:

• Positive symptoms - these are symptoms that result in a change of behaviour, or thoughts. Hallucinations, thought disorder and delusions are examples of 'positive' symptoms.
• Negative symptoms - these are the emotional responses that schizophrenic sufferers lack. This can leave them feeling apathetic and uninterested. The negative symptoms of schizophrenia can cause people to feel uncomfortable in social settings, uninterested in activities they once found enjoyable and it can also cause their sleeping patterns to change, and their concentration levels to dwindle. 

3. More likely to affect some people than others

Although schizophrenia is not caused by something specific, there are a number of things that increase the likelihood of developing the disorder. Genetics, stress, imbalanced neurotransmitter levels, brain development, drug use and pregnancy/birth complications can all increase the likilhood of you suffering from the mental disorder.

Schizophrenia is not...

1. Caused by drug use

Although it is true that schizophrenia is not caused by drug use, it can increase your likelihood of developing the disorder. Studies show that  teenagers under 15 who regularly use cannabis are up to four times more likely to develop schizophrenia by the time they reach 26.

2. The same as multiple personality disorder

Multiple personality disorder (now known as dissociative personality disorder) results in the sufferer experiencing multiple personalities/identities. People often mistake this with schizophrenia, but the truth is, they are very different.


3. Dangerous

Some people believe that schizophrenics are more dangerous than others, but it's believed that they are no more dangerous than the rest of the population, and that they are actually more likely to be victims of violence rather than perpetrators.