SCHIZOPHRENIA

Schizophrenia is a group of severe brain disorders in which people interpret reality abnormally. Schizophrenia may result in some combination of hallucinations, delusions, and disordered thinking and behavior. Contrary to some popular belief, schizophrenia isn’t split personality or multiple personality.

Schizophrenia symptoms also can be attributed to other mental illnesses, and no one symptom can pinpoint a diagnosis of schizophrenia. In men, schizophrenia symptoms typically start in the teens or 20’s. In women, schizophrenia symptoms typically begin in the 20’s or early 30’s. It’s uncommon for children to be diagnosed with schizophrenia and rare for those older than 45. Signs and symptoms of schizophrenia generally are divided into three categories — positive, negative and cognitive.