Schizophrenia is a serious mental disorder, and it is one that is frequently misunderstood. Dramatized portrayals in movies and media have popularized several myths about schizophrenia, such as the idea that people experiencing schizophrenia are always violent. These misconceptions often have serious harmful impacts, as they foster negative stereotypes and stigmas that hurt people experiencing this disorder.
Schizophrenia is a condition that affects the brain and alters a person’s perceptions of reality. Symptoms can include visual and auditory hallucinations, delusions, or paranoia. There are several types of schizophrenia with different symptoms. Like many other mental disorders, the experience can differ depending on the person.
Myth 1: People Experiencing Schizophrenia Are Dangerous
We often see images of people experiencing schizophrenia as violent threats to others. In reality, people experiencing schizophrenia are actually more likely to be the victims of violence than the perpetrators. The disorder of schizophrenia generally does not cause people to become violent, but it does often cause them to lose social benefits and be ostracized by others.
A person experiencing schizophrenia needs support and understanding more than anything else. As a society, we must learn to view these individuals not as threats but as people experiencing health issues who need support. Like any other health issue, schizophrenia is not a person’s fault, nor is it a moral judgment on them.
Myth 2: Schizophrenia is Very Rare
Schizophrenia is not as rare as people might think. About one in 100 people will experience schizophrenia at some time in their life. This disorder affects people in different age groups, cultures, genders, societies, and walks of life. It is not, as people have thought in the past, caused by bad parenting or any specific set of circumstances.
One reason people perceive schizophrenia as being very rare may be the misconceptions we have about its symptoms. People experiencing schizophrenia may experience hallucinations, but symptoms can also include low motivation, a lack of interest in everyday activities, withdrawal from social life, or trouble paying attention.
Myth 3: Schizophrenia Causes People to Have Another Personality
The term “schizophrenia” does come from a root meaning “split.” However, this split is not an embodiment of two different personalities but rather a divergence between perception and reality. People experiencing schizophrenia will not suddenly turn into a different person. They may, however, have confusion about their experiences or perceive things differently from others.
A person exhibiting a split personality would likely be experiencing a Dissociative Identity Disorder or a Multiple Personality Disorder. This is much rarer than schizophrenia and has different symptoms, characteristics, and diagnoses.
Myth 4: Schizophrenia Requires Long-Term Hospitalization
People often imagine schizophrenia to be untreatable and require a person to be in a mental health facility long-term. While hospitalization can often be a part of treatment for schizophrenia, especially in crisis situations, most treatment methods aim to allow the person to function outside of a hospital environment.
Treatment options for schizophrenia can include hospitalization, outpatient treatments, therapy, and medication. While long-term hospitalizations can occur in some cases, this is generally an indication that the person isn’t getting the support they need to heal. This can be from a lack of support from medical institutions, family and friends, and society in general.
Myth 5: Schizophrenia Makes it Impossible to Function in Society
One of the most common misconceptions about schizophrenia is that it will prevent people from functioning in general society. While schizophrenia can be extremely debilitating, especially without proper treatment and support, recovery is possible. Individuals engaged in successful treatment and maintenance live fairly normal lives: holding jobs, engaging in social activities, and carrying out the functions of everyday society.
While schizophrenia can be a scary diagnosis, it’s essential to know that healing and recovery are possible. If you are caring for or supporting someone experiencing schizophrenia, you can help them get the support they need by doing research on the disorder, helping them to understand potential treatment options, and supporting them as they face challenges on the road to recovery.
About the author:
Marie Miguel has been a writing and research expert for nearly a decade, covering a variety of health- related topics. Currently, she is contributing to the expansion and growth of a free online mental health resource with BetterHelp.com. With an interest and dedication to addressing stigmas associated with mental health, she continues to specifically target subjects related to anxiety and depression.
