- Schizophrenia is an illness that can affect a person’s ability to think clearly, manage emotions, and interact with others. It affects each person differently.
- Schizophrenia can be a frightening experience on its own. Unfortunately, it’s often misunderstood, in part due to sensational stories in the news and other media.
- Schizophrenia is not caused by bad parenting, childhood trauma, poverty, street drugs or alcohol, although stress and using drugs can sometimes make symptoms worse.
- Some people assume that people who experience schizophrenia should be treated without respect for their rights and dignity – schizophrenia is an illness and no one who is ill should be treated disrespectfully.
- These public perceptions can leave people with schizophrenia scared to talk about their experiences and seek help.
- The truth is that many people learn how to manage schizophrenia with the right tools and supports.
- Schizophrenia is no one’s fault; schizophrenia is a treatable illness.
For more basic facts about schizophrenia and how it can impact attention span, memory, judgement, problem solving, and planning, please see the “Schizophrenia Resources” node that follows.