Schizophrenia is a serious mental disorder that affects 1.5 million people each year. But what is this? Schizophrenia is defined as a mental disorder characterized by abnormal social behavior and failure to understand reality. Common symptoms include false beliefs, unclear or confused thinking, hearing voices that others do not, reduced social engagement and emotional expression, and a lack of motivation.
This mental disorder can often develop between the ages of 16-30 and starts with simple hallucinations, confusing thoughts or delusions that is hard to differentiate from reality.
Cecilia McGough, a long term schizophrenia sufferer, decribes her experience, "my life had become a waking nightmare... i started feeling, seeing and hearing things that wern't there... everywhere i went i was followed around by a clown...spiders... and a girl carrying a knife".
Some of you may wonder what the causes for schizophrenia are. Genetics have a role to play here, although there is no one gene that makes you vulnerable, it is rather a combination of them. Other possible causes are drug abuse, triggers, pregnancies and pregnancy complication and much more.
Although there is no 'cure' to this disorder, medication, self help strategies, therapsists and much more can help them cope and manage with this.
There are many UK helplines to help you cope with Schizophrenia such as 020 8478 3400 from Anxiety Care, 0800 585 858 from CALM and much more.
By Umeh Jamiath, SRS
