In recent times there have been many efforts by various organizations to spread awareness about schizophrenia. However it is a complex mental condition and many misconceptions still persist. Schizophrenia is characterized by several symptoms such as psychosis, apathy, disturbed thought processes, social withdrawal and a general lack of interest in life.


The symptoms tend to vary from case to case. Also the symptoms may be quite mild in some individuals and severe in others. Here are some important facts about schizophrenia which will help to bring about better understanding of the disease;

• Many people are under the impression that those with schizophrenia suffer from split personality.
  
  
  Affected individuals do experience trouble in understanding reality but they do not have split personalities.

• Schizophrenia can be categorized in various sub-groups based on which symptoms are the most prominent. Research now indicates that the condition may actually encompass a variety of disorders.

• There is no cure for schizophrenia. However there are many individuals who do experience full recovery. There are also some who experience a remission of symptoms from time to time. Individuals with schizophrenia do not experience psychosis all the time.

• The prognosis of schizophrenia is better when treatment is administered early. Therefore it is vital to seek treatment as soon as the initial signs of the disorder are experienced. It is also important to be aware of schizophrenia symptoms so that one is able to identify them if they occur in family members.

• People with schizophrenia may perceive a threat from others and hence may manifest violent or aggressive tendencies in an attempt to protect themselves. In such cases, they need to be handled with understanding.

• Individuals with schizophrenia are able to work and have a family. They can also involve themselves in social situations. But often due to the stigma attached to the disorder, they are unable to do all of these things.

• Individuals who have a close relative with schizophrenia are at a higher risk of developing the disorder. However it can also occur in individuals who do not have a family history of schizophrenia.

• Drug use does not cause schizophrenia, but it can lead to aggravation of the symptoms. It can also cause symptoms to develop in individuals who are already predisposed to the condition.

• It is a misconception that schizophrenia occurs as a result of poor parenting. Schizophrenia is a disorder of the brain in which many different factors also play a significant role.  

• Treatment for schizophrenia is done through medication and therapy. The main aim of treatment is to prevent psychotic episodes from occurring in the future.

Individuals with schizophrenia may also suffer from symptoms of depression during the course of their illness. Depression is a mood disorder which may be associated with a chemical imbalance in the brain. It tends to run in families and can occur after stressful life events. Drug abuse, alcohol abuse and intake of certain medications can also trigger depression. Here are some ways that help in fighting depression;

• Many people shy away from seeking treatment for depressive symptoms. However one should not feel embarrassed or ashamed to consult a therapist. Therapy can help an individual to deal and cope with the symptoms.

• It is essential to take things slow and try to bring about an improvement in mood through small steps. Rewarding yourself for completing each step goes a long way in reinforcing positive behavior.

• Depression can be dealt with by staying socially active. One needs to get out of the house and engage in enjoyable activities. Meeting with friends, taking a hobby class or even just going for a walk with a neighbor helps to combat feelings of sadness and despair.

• Depression may sometimes prevent you from looking after yourself. Even simple activities like taking a shower or getting dressed can seem like a tremendous effort. In order to fight depression, it is essential to incorporate healthy habits into your daily routine. Enforce a regular routine of sleeping for at least 8 hours every night, engaging in some amount of exercise daily and eating healthy meals every day. This will automatically bring about a mood improvement.

• Depression is often triggered by stress. Therefore knowing how to deal with stress is essential. There are various methods of stress management such as meditating, taking a hot bath or going for a run. Engaging in these activities whenever you experience stress, will help in keeping depressive symptoms away.

• Many people find it beneficial to maintain a dairy in which they write down their day to day experiences and feelings. This gives an outlet to emotions and enables you to detect patterns in your thoughts and feelings. Keep aside some time each day to write in your dairy.