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another person’s character, intelligence, or mental stability. Forming a basic comprehension of its symptoms and treatments can help those who experience its onset, as well as encourage understanding for those who combat it, in addition to their families and caregivers. Schizophrenia is best defined as “a serious mental disease that affects a person’s thoughts, behavior, moods, and ability to work and relate to others.” 2 It can involve hallucinations, unusual behavior and speech, and the inability to care for oneself. Schizophrenia is not contagious, but it is chronic, meaning that the person who experiences it will almost always require some level of management or care. However, scientists are constantly learning more about what causes schizophrenia, as well as how to best treat it. Many who have schizophrenia lead empowered and fulfilling lives. A diagnosis of schizophrenia is not fatal, nor is it hopeless. About one in seven people diagnosed with schizophrenia can live the rest of his or her life in recovery. Symptoms of Schizophrenia The symptoms of schizophrenia vary from person to person, and their intensity can differ as well. They might increase and lessen in severity. It’s important to understand that experiencing just one of these symptoms does not necessarily mean that a person has schizophrenia. These symptoms can appear with other diseases or behavioral disorders as well. Only a team of qualified health professionals, working together with data gathered over time, can reach a diagnosis of schizophrenia. Schizophrenia symptoms are usually divided into “positive symptoms” or “negative symptoms.” This doesn’t mean that they are “good” or “bad” but that they are evident to others (positive) or missing from usual human activity or interaction (negative).

12 Behavioral Disorders: Schizophrenic Spectrum and Other Psychotic Disorders