In simple words, Schizophrenia is a mental disease or disorder that affects the way a person acts, think or see the world. It causes one to become delusional. Schizophrena can be in the mild or extreme cases.

People with schizophrenia tend to feel that; people are jealous of them and want to hurt them, that they see and hear what others don't, that possess some kind of powers/special ability.

They may see images on the wall, they are depressed, hallucinate a lot and may do serious weird things to protect themselves from their supposed enemies(at this stage, they display violent behaviours). Their perception of people and situations is distorted.. For instance, a normal person may see a moon as fall but a schizophrenic person would see it as half, quarter or as even absent(It means that they don't see things the way a normal person would).

Schizophrenia affects the ability to reason and co-ordinate one's actions. Schizophrenic people begin to lose the ability to do things that were routine to them before. For instance, their hygiene may detoriorate. They lose interest in brushing, bathing or doing some basic things that has been part of their lives since they learnt to talk.

Also, their speech lacks co-ordination and mental accuracy(It may sound like they talk off point a lot. That is, they can be make an intelligent conversation in their brain but when it comes out as speech, it may make little or no sense. This is indeed so furstrating for them as they alone understand the point they are making....

People with schizophrenia have problems keeping relationships. Their split-personality, conflicting actions often end up with them breaking up the relationship or being dumped. Which is their worst nightmare as they dread being alone and abandoned.

Some extreme cases of schizophrenia are mistaken for witchcrafts or mean character. This is because they exhibit irrational behaviours that make people disgusted or wary of them.

Many nigerians suffer from schizophrenia and other mental related disoders but would never agree to see a psychologist or go for therapy. The reason is because they are afraid of the stigma that comes with being regarded as "insane".

So we have more crazy people who suffer this mental breakdown till their minds finally crash.

If you have a friend, family or acquaintance that you suspect to be mentally ill, show that person love and understanding. Don't treat them like they are crazy. Love and understanding would make the therapy they go for, work faster. If you have it yourself, seek help and live happy.
Schizophrenia can be managed with therapy.

General Signs/Symptoms

1. Social withdrawal.

2. Hostility or suspiciousness.

3. Deterioration of personal hygiene.

5. Flat or expressionless gaze.

6. Inability to cry or express joy.

7. Inappropriate laughter or crying e.g like laughing in a sorrowful situation.

8. Depression.

9. Oversleeping or insomnia.

10. Odd or irrational statements.

11. Forgetful; unable to concentrate.

12. Extreme reactions to criticism.

13. Strange use of words or way of speaking.

nawaoo!

Do all depressed people have this disease?

Victosin09: Do all depressed people have this disease?

No, not all depressed people are schizophrenic. Some may be suffering from Major depression, anxiety disorder, bipolar depression, or Dysthymia... goggle them out to get more info on them. Some acute depression can slowly slid into Schizophrenia but not all as Schizophrenia can be hereditary also.... Signs of depression include: Withdrawal from social activities, lack of interest in daily activities, felling of worthlessness and guilt, self depreciation, uncertainty, tearfulness, extreme sadness, Irritability, loneliness, sucidal thoughts etc...