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Schizophrenia




Ashley - Living With Schizophrenia


What is it?


Schizophrenia affects 2 to 3 million Americans, or one percent of the population. It is a serious mental illness that affects a person's thinking, emotions, and behavior. This medical condition is characterized by hallucinations and delusions, however, there are other symptoms as well. There are sub-types of schizophrenia: paranoid, catatonic, disorganized, undifferentiated, and residual. Most of the time, males develop the illness around age of 18, and age 25 for females. There is no cure for this illness, however, there is treatment.

Common Misconceptions

People who have schizophrenia do NOT have split personality, and violence is not a symptom of schizophrenia. Schizophrenia is not caused by bad parenting or a dysfunctional family. Recovery is possible. An individual with schizophrenia can lead a productive, independent, fulfilling life.

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What Is Remission?

Remission is the absence of symptoms for at least six months with the support of medication. In other words, a doctor who has never seen you before may not diagnose you as a person with schizophrenia anymore. Remission is also high functioning in several aspects of life, living independently, goinig to school or to work, and socializing with other people. However, this does not mean the patient is cured or the illness has went away, the illness is still present, however, under control. Remission is achieved with the assistance of medication. "Published studies suggest that 10% to 20% of people with schizophrenia have remission of their illness as they get older, 20% get worse, but in a large majority (60% to 70%), the course of illness remains relatively unchanged." To reach remission it is recommended that you aim for a stress-free environment. Therefore, do things to relieve stress such as journaling, exercising, talking to friends, listening to or creating music, making a
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