What is Schizophrenia?
The word ‘schizophrenia’ essentially implies the splitting (schiz) of the mind. It is a cluster of disorders comprising a set of symptoms like thought disturbances, perceptual irregularities, emotional disturbances, disorganized speech, distorted sense of self and impaired behavior, motivation, interpersonal and occupational functioning.
.1% of adults, or 2 million people, in the U.S. live with schizophrenia. 18 Treatment helps relieve many symptoms of schizophrenia, but most people who have the disorder cope with symptoms throughout their lives. However, many people with schizophrenia can lead rewarding and meaningful lives in their communities.
Signs and symptoms
- Hallucinations, such as hearing voices or seeing things that others do not experience.
- Beliefs that are odd or that others do not share.
- Trouble thinking logically.
- Agitated or repetitive body movements.
- Lack of emotional expression when talking.
- Speaking little.
- Lack of pleasure in everyday activities.
- Difficulty paying attention.
- Trouble applying information to make decisions.
- Problems with working memory (a type of short-term memory involved in processing information).
