Schizphrenia

What is schizophrenia?

Schizophrenia is a mental illness which affects the way you think. The symptoms may effect how you cope with day to day life.
Schizophrenia is a common illness. About one in a hundred people will develop schizophrenia. It can develop during young adulthood. The early stage is called ‘the prodromal phase’. During this phase your sleep, emotions, motivation, communication and ability to think clearly may change.
If you become unwell this is called an ‘acute episode’. You may feel panic, anger or depression during an acute episode. Your first acute episode can be a shocking experience because you are not expecting it or prepared for it.

Schizophrenia myths

 ‘‘Schizophrenia means someone has a split personality"
One error is that schizophrenia means that people have multiple or split personalities. This is not the case. The mistake may come from the fact that the name 'schizophrenia' comes from two Greek words meaning 'split' and 'mind'.

 ‘Schizophrenia causes people to be Violent"
People with a diagnosis of schizophrenia are more likely to be a danger to themselves than other people. Unfortunately some people with the illness may become violent because of delusional beliefs or the use of drugs or alcohol. Because these incidents can be shocking, the media often report them in a way which emphasises the mental health aspects. This can create fear and stigma in the general public. Only a small minority of people with the illness may become violent, much in the same way as a small minority of the general public may become violent.
Source:  http://www.rethink.org/diagnosis-treatment/conditions/schizophrenia/what