“People suffer twice. They suffer from the illness and they suffer from the discrimination that they encounter because of the illness and lack of knowledge that people have of the illness,” says Dr. William Torrey, MD, the interim chair of the psychiatry department at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Health and professor of psychiatry at the Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth in New Hampshire. And yet, many people with schizophrenia are able to live pretty normal lives with treatment and support. “For a lot of people, they do really well,” says Dr. Howard Pratt, DO, a psychiatrist with Community Health of South Florida, Inc. (CHI). Here are the top myths and facts about schizophrenia.
Myth: People with schizophrenia have a split personality.
Fact: The multiple personality myth is a pervasive one. But it’s just that: a myth. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, schizophrenia is actually characterized by psychotic symptoms such as hallucinations, delusions, and unusual ways of thinking (or thought disorder). Some people with schizophrenia also have other symptoms, like cognitive impairment or difficulty with social connections or a reduced expression of their emotions. Meanwhile, multiple personality disorder, which is now called dissociative identity disorder (DID), is a completely different diagnosis.
Myth: It’s easy to recognize schizophrenia.
Fact: How hard could it be to recognize a case of schizophrenia, you might wonder. Wouldn’t the hallucinations give it away? Actually, very subtle signs can develop early and go unnoticed for years. Some unusual behaviors and some cognitive impairment can develop in childhood but the other symptoms don’t really unfold until adolescence or even early adulthood.
Myth: Schizophrenia is an extremely rare illness.
Fact: “This is an illness that is very, very common,” says Dr. Torrey. Approximately 20 million people worldwide have schizophrenia, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). The annual prevalence of schizophrenia in the United States is about 1.5 million cases, although it’s challenging to get exact numbers, according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI).
Myth: It’s your fault if you develop schizophrenia.
Fact: Unfortunately, stigma over mental illness is still very pervasive, and this includes schizophrenia. Some people “tend to have the sense that not only does someone develop an illness but they’re somehow responsible for it, that they signed up for it somehow,” says Dr. Torrey. The reality is that scientists don’t really know what causes schizophrenia to develop. It may be some combination of genetic, environmental factors and a person’s unique brain chemistry, according to the Mayo Clinic. A family history of schizophrenia also seems to increase a person’s risk.
Myth: There’s no effective treatment for schizophrenia.
Fact: It’s true that there’s no cure for schizophrenia. But it can be treated and managed. According to NAMI, the most common types of treatment include psychotherapy, antipsychotic medications, and self-management strategies. Many people with schizophrenia work hard to develop effective coping skills, says Dr. Pratt. And while schizophrenia can’t be prevented, either, sticking to an effective treatment plan may help prevent relapses or keep symptoms from getting worse.
Myth: People with schizophrenia will need long-term hospitalization.
Fact: In the past, there were times when people with mental illness were institutionalized, sometimes for long periods of time and, in some cases, even for life. Today, however, a person who is diagnosed and begins treatment doesn’t have to fear the prospect of long-term hospitalization.
Myth: People with schizophrenia can’t live a full life.
Fact: Many people with schizophrenia live very full meaningful lives. They have families, own homes, and work in careers that satisfy their professional interests and provide financial support. “There are lawyers, doctors, teachers, and entrepreneurs who are just doing great at life,” says Dr. Pratt. “Once a person gets treatment, their lives can be the same as everyone else’s. They can have families and children, same as everyone else.”
Myth: People with schizophrenia aren’t smart.
Fact: Schizophrenia affects a wide array of people of varying levels of intelligence. You can absolutely be smart and talented and also have schizophrenia. A key example: American mathematician John F. Nash, Jr., won the 1994 Nobel Prize for Economics for his work on the mathematics of game theory (you may remember his story from A Beautiful Mind, the 2001 movie starring Russell Crowe); he also had schizophrenia.
Myth: You can’t do much to help a person with schizophrenia.
Fact: There’s actually a lot you can do to help a loved one with schizophrenia. For example, it’s important not to ignore or dismiss a family member or friend who tells you that they’re experiencing some symptoms, says Dr. Pratt. The earlier they begin treatment, the better, since it may help them ward off some of the isolation that may develop as they grapple with having schizophrenia. You can also show your loved one that you accept them as they are, that you’re willing to help them, and that you support them in getting treatment.
Myth: People with schizophrenia are violent.
Fact: Some people assume that people with schizophrenia have a tendency toward violence. It’s a mistaken belief that’s been nurtured by movies and shows that suggest mental illness as the possible reason for acts of violence. But the reality is that people with schizophrenia are far more likely to be the victims of violence than the perpetrators, according to a scholarly article written by Heidi Wehring and Henry Carpenter in the journal Schizophrenia Bulletin. And research suggests that the misperception may be a key reason that stigma still lingers over the disorder.
Sources
Dr. Howard Pratt, Community Health of South Florida, Inc. (CHI)Dr. William Torrey, interim chair of the psychiatry department at Dartmouth-Hitchcock HealthCleveland Clinic: Dissociative Identity Disorder (Multiple Personality Disorder). Britannica:John NashNational Alliance on Mental Illness: Mental Health by the NumbersMayo Clinic: SchizophreniaNational Alliance on Mental Illness: SchizophreniaNational Institute of Mental Health: SchizophreniaWorld Health Organization: SchizophreniaSchizophrenia Bulletin. Stigma and violence: isn’t it time to connect the dots?Schizophrenia Bulletin. Violence and schizophrenia
