Schizophrenia Myths and Facts
Understanding Schizophrenia
Schizophrenia is a serious mental disorder affecting the ability to think and act clearly. When you have schizophrenia, your brain often tells you you're seeing things or hearing voices that aren’t there. This makes it hard to tell what's real and what isn't.
Myth: It Means You Have Multiple Personalities
This is one of the biggest misunderstandings. Many people confuse schizophrenia with dissociative identity disorder, which means someone acts like they are two or more people. Schizophrenia involves hallucinations and delusions, not multiple personalities.
Myth: People With Schizophrenia Are Violent
Another common misconception is that people with schizophrenia are violent. In reality, people with this condition are more likely to harm themselves than others.
Myth: Bad Parenting Causes Schizophrenia
Mothers, in particular, often get blamed. But schizophrenia is a mental illness. It has many causes, including genes, trauma, and drug abuse. Mistakes you made as a parent won't give your child this condition.
Myth: You Can't Hold a Job
Schizophrenia can make it harder for you to land a job and go to work every day. But with the right treatment, many people can find a position that fits their skills and abilities.
Myth: It Can't Be Treated
There is no known cure for schizophrenia, but treatment can help you manage its symptoms and lessen its impact on your life. Antipsychotic medications can help stabilize you and lower your risk of future symptoms. Therapy is also a helpful tool. With treatment, many people with schizophrenia can live full, productive lives.