Though schizophrenia isn’t as common as other major mental illnesses, it can be the most chronic and disabling. People with schizophrenia often have problems doing well in society, at work, at school, and in relationships. They might feel frightened and withdrawn, and could appear to have lost touch with reality.

Many people recover from schizophrenia While estimates of recovery vary, research cited by RANZCP suggests that just over half of those diagnosed with schizophrenia achieve good or partial recovery between episodes. While one in seven achieve almost complete recovery.

With the right treatment and self-help, many people with schizophrenia are able to regain normal functioning and even become symptom-free.

Positive and negative symptoms are medical terms for two groups of symptoms in schizophrenia. Positive symptoms add. Positive symptoms include hallucinations (sensations that aren’t real), delusions (beliefs that can’t be real), and repetitive movements that are hard to control.

If you, or someone you know, are described as having “borderline schizophrenia”, it could point toward mild symptoms, unclear symptoms, or a combination of symptoms. The best thing you can do is to seek clarification from a licensed professional.

The exact causes of schizophrenia are unknown. Research suggests a combination of physical, genetic, psychological and environmental factors can make a person more likely to develop the condition. Some people may be prone to schizophrenia, and a stressful or emotional life event might trigger a psychotic episode.

It is associated with altered mental states or mental illness, such as mania, hypomania or schizophrenia, and can have other causes. Paradoxical laughter is indicative of an unstable mood, often caused by the pseudobulbar affect, which can quickly change to anger and back again, on minor external cues.

These simply mean experiences that someone with schizophrenia has, such as hallucinations, delusions, unusual physical movements, and illogical thoughts. “These are as real to the person with schizophrenia as it would be if someone came in the room and started talking to you,” Weinstein says.

If they’re frightened by the perception, they might try to hide their fear, or cry out or run away. Some people have persistent visual hallucinations, such as small children or animals that frequently appear or follow them around.

Many people with schizophrenia are exceptionally gifted, including Nobel Prize winning mathematician, John Nash, who recently had a movie based on his story called, “A Beautiful Mind.” My mother, who is Chris’ sister, can attest to his brilliance, “ He was gifted in so many ways; he was so curious about life and had a …

Schizophrenia involves a range of problems with thinking (cognition), behavior and emotions. Signs and symptoms may vary, but usually involve delusions, hallucinations or disorganized speech, and reflect an impaired ability to function.

Flat affect (diminished emotional expression) is a hallmark symptom of schizophrenia, although it may also affect those with other conditions. It is a lack of showing emotion characterized by an apathetic and unchanging facial expression and little or no change in the strength, tone, or pitch of the voice.

People with the condition usually aren’t aware that they have it until a doctor or counselor tells them. They won’t even realize that something is seriously wrong. If they do happen to notice symptoms, like not being able to think straight, they might chalk it up to things like stress or being tired.

While no cure exists for schizophrenia, it is treatable and manageable with medication and behavioral therapy, especially if diagnosed early and treated continuously.

But now, new Norwegian research suggests that more than half of the study participants are doing well. After four years of treatment, 55 per cent of the young people were partially or fully recovered, and fully ten per cent of those who are fully recovered no longer use medication.

How Long Does Schizophrenia Last? Ten years after diagnosis: 50% of people with schizophrenia are either recovered or improved to the point that they can work and live on their own.

While limited mental health resources in the community may lead to homelessness and frequent hospitalizations, it is a misconception that people with schizophrenia end up homeless or living in hospitals. Most people with schizophrenia live with their family, in group homes or on their own.

Accidents: Although individuals with schizophrenia do not drive as much as other people, studies have shown that they have double the rate of motor vehicle accidents per mile driven. A significant but unknown number of individuals with schizophrenia also are killed as pedestrians by motor vehicles.

A schizophrenia diagnosis doesn’t rule out a successful career, Jewell says. “Everything is a possibility depending on the person,” he says. With a successful response to treatment, “there’s a chance they might be able to do just about anything.”

The disease can also affect families. Individuals with schizophrenia usually have difficulty keeping a job and caring for themselves. They must rely on family and friends for help. The disease is often misunderstood, but it is treatable, and in many cases, the individual can go on to lead a productive and normal life.

Schizophrenia is often associated with incoherence, disorganized behavior, illogical thinking, illogical speech and flat line behaviors. Any of these can make it impossible to function in a work environment.

One is that people with the disorder often don’t realize they’re ill, so they’re unlikely to go to a doctor for help. Another issue is that many of the changes leading up to schizophrenia, called the prodrome, can mirror other normal life changes.