What Is Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia is a complex brain disorder that affects approximately 2.4 million American adults.*

• Research suggests that schizophrenia affects men and women equally
• Nobody knows what causes it or why it affects some people and not others
• It’s nobody’s fault–there is nothing that you did to cause schizophrenia
• It’s a lifelong illness that impacts not only the person living with the condition, but also the lives of family members

*These figures can vary depending on the published source used.

Symptoms

Schizophrenia symptoms can vary from person to person and usually start between early adulthood and your mid-30s. Some may experience many severe symptoms, while others experience just a few or less-severe symptoms.

Living WithSchizophrenia

There is no cure for schizophrenia, but for many people, medication is key in their recovery plan, along with supportive treatments—like psychotherapy and goal setting. With a combination of treatments, many people can lead productive and meaningful lives.

Setting Personal Goals

Goal-setting is the process of planning for the future and thinking about what you want out of your recovery journey and your life. Setting personal goals⁠—big and small⁠—can help you focus on what’s important to you.

• Set Clear, Specific Goals
  Having simple and realistic goals can help you focus and be more likely to reach them.
• Take Small Steps
  Break down big goals into smaller ones so they are more manageable and easier to reach.
• Get Support
  It’s not always easy to reach a goal—so some people appreciate help. Think about which people from your treatment team or support network might be able to help you.
• Share Your Goals With Others
  If you share goals publicly, you may feel more committed to reaching them.
• Stay Positive
  Having hope and believing in yourself can inspire you to accomplish your goals.
• Track Your Successes and Challenges
  Remember to share your progress with your treatment team and give yourself credit for the work you are doing.

Setting Your Goals Worksheet

A worksheet to help you set new recovery goals that are meaningful and important to you.Download Setting Your Goals Worksheet

Positive Symptoms

Added behaviors that make a person appear to “lose touch” with reality.

• Hearing, seeing, smelling, feeling things that no one else experiences
• Having beliefs that are not true or logical
• Having difficulty thinking or speaking

Myth vs Fact

Knowing the facts about schizophrenia is an important first step towards managing symptoms and helping others understand the diagnosis. The more people know about schizophrenia, the more they can help others in their unique recovery journey.

Negative Symptoms

Behaviors that are different from a person’s usual way of being in the world.

• Showing little emotion or facial expression
• Experiencing less pleasure in everyday activities

Cognitive Symptoms

Symptoms that affect a person’s ability to complete daily activities, such as working.

• Trouble focusing
• Problems with memory
• Limited understanding and decision-making ability

Diagnosis

There’s no single test to diagnose schizophrenia, but there are tests that can be done that eliminate other potential causes of schizophrenia symptoms. These tests can be given by healthcare professionals, who will use these results and other criteria to determine a schizophrenia diagnosis.

MYTH

People living with schizophrenia have multiple or split personalities.

vs

FACT

People with schizophrenia have difficulty distinguishing between what is real and what is not, but that isn’t the same as having multiple personalities.

https://www.hopeforschizophrenia.com/what-is-schizophrenia/