Schizophrenia
What is Schizophrenia?
Schizophrenia is a serious illness and medical condition. It affects the normal functioning of the brain, interfering with a person’s ability to think, feel and act. Some people with schizophrenia do recover completely, and, with time, most find that their symptoms improve. However, for many, it is a prolonged illness which can involve years of distressing symptoms and disability.
People affected by schizophrenia have one ‘personality,’ just like everyone else. It is a myth and totally untrue that those affected have a so-called ‘split personality’.
How many people develop Schizophrenia?
About 1 in a 100 people will develop schizophrenia at some time in their lives. Most of these will be first affected in their late teens and early twenties.
What are the symptoms?
If not receiving treatment, people with schizophrenia experience persistent symptoms of what is called psychosis. These include:
- Confused thinking - when acutely ill, people with psychotic symptoms experience disordered thinking. The everyday thoughts that let us live our daily lives become confused.
- Delusions - a delusion is a false belief held by a person which is not held by others of the same cultural background.
- Hallucinations - the person sees, hears, feels, smells or tastes something that is not actually there. The hallucination is often of voices which no one else can hear.
- Other associated symptoms are low motivation and changed feelings.
What causes Schizophrenia?
The causes of schizophrenia are not fully understood. They are likely to be a combination of hereditary and other factors. It is probable that some people are born with a genetic predisposition to develop this kind of illness, and that certain things, for example, stress or use of drugs such as marijuana, Ice, LSD or speed, can trigger their first episode.
More Information
For more information on this illness including facts, diagnosis, treatment and where to go for help please refer to the following fact sheets:
> Schizophrenia - SANE Australia
> Understanding schizophrenia - Mental Illness Fellowship of Australia (MIFA)
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