World Schizophrenia Day: 8 Facts About The Mental Illness
It is a severe mental disorder that affects how a person thinks, feels, and behaves and has symptoms like hallucinations, delusions, and disorganized thinking.
It affects approximately 1% of the global population every year with most men experiencing symptoms earlier than women.
People diagonsed with schizophrenia are not usually violent or dangerous. They are more likely to be victims of violence inflicted by others.
The symptoms can be regulated and controlled to some extent with psychosocial interventions including therapy and vocational support.
Substance abuse is common in this illness. About 50% of people with schizophrenia have substance use disorder.
The onset of schizophrenia usually occurs when people are in their late adolescence or early adulthood, although it can develop at any age.
Proper medical treatment can help the diagnosed people lead better lives. However, it requires constant and continued support from healthcare professionals.
It significantly affects the memory, attention, and problem-solving abilities of a person and hence, impacts the daily functioning and quality of life.