Living With Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia is a mental illness that affects approximately 24 million people or 1 in 300 people (0.32%) worldwide.

This rate is 1 in 222 people (0.45%) among adults.

That is around 1% of the world.

Although very uncommon worldwide these people may experience some or all of the following symptoms: hallucinations, delusions, negative symptoms, cognitive issues/disorganized thinking, and movement disorder.

It is a chronic condition that interferes with their ability to think, feel, and behave clearly.

There is a range of effective care options for people, and at least one in three people with schizophrenia will be able to recover fully.

Research has not identified one single cause of schizophrenia.

Some people who have schizophrenia have never in life done a street drug, so please don’t stereotype people. And finally, most people with schizophrenia are not violent.

From a personal perspective: Living with schizophrenia is manageable as long as you have support.

Speaking of support, it is important for people to recognize the symptoms and help others get help if they see a person experiencing some of the symptoms listed above.

From my own personal story, I experienced a total loss of identity.

I did not know my own name.

I did not know where I lived.

I could not even tell you my parent’s name.

As a person who loves Disney and video games, I would sometimes believe I was in those movies or games.

However, an adult can’t technically run away.

I would leave home out of my mind and be lost on the streets most days until I could remember something.

One night I was almost forced to sleep on the streets.

Having been picked up by police officers.

I was then almost in jail for not knowing anything.

As a person with delusions sometimes I can get stuck on a fixed belief that may or may not be true, but for me in that moment it is true and nothing could change my mind even if the other person is right.

I often check to make sure people are seeing and hearing the things that are around me because I have experienced hallucinations.

That is where you can see, feel, hear, and smell things that don’t exist, but are very real to you.

There are many ways you can educate yourself about schizophrenia don’t allow your loved one to go out into the world knowing or feeling unloved because you don’t want to take the time to understand them and help them.

Matthew 25:40 Read it when you have time.