Schizophrenia is a serious psychological disorder that causes delusions and hallucinations. Men and women are equally subjected to this disorder and symptoms usually occur during puberty. Despite popular belief, individuals who suffer from schizophrenia are not violent or dangerous, and living a well balanced life is possible. A mental health professional can diagnose schizophrenia and provide proper treatment such as therapy and medication to help alleviate symptoms. 

Here are the major schizophrenia symptoms:

1. Delusions

A delusion is something that is believed to be true that isn’t. For instance, some patients have fantasies of grandeur and believe that they are God like. Others become paranoid that someone is out to get them, or believe they possess supernatural powers, such as the ability to read minds. This can be debilitating as the individual truly believes this delusion. The opposite can also occur, wherein patients may isolate themselves for fear of others not accepting their abilities or casting judgement onto them.

2. Hallucinations

One of the tell tale signs of schizophrenia is hearing or seeing things that are not there. Hearing disembodied voices or seeing something that no one else can see that is usually upsetting for the individual who is experiencing these hallucinations.

3. Disorganized speech

Those who suffer from schizophrenia often have a hard time communicating efficiently. Their thoughts race and the hallucinations they experience make it hard for them to piece together sentences that make sense. Someone who is having a hallucination while in the middle of a conversation may be answering the person talking to them, or communicating with the hallucination they are experiencing.

4. Impaired function

Having a hard time functioning in social situations can be a sign of schizophrenia. This includes having bad personal grooming habits, trouble looking people in the eye, not showing emotions, and no interest in things that would usually interest them. They may also isolate themselves due to the fear that no one understands them, and become depressed.

5. Inappropriate behavior

Behaving inappropriately is another sign of schizophrenia. These symptoms can show themselves in the individual acting like a child or showing signs of irritability. It can also include the inability to take direction, inappropriate posture or movements, excessive movement or the opposite, no movement at all. For this reason individuals who suffer from this disease are thought to be unable to work due to the fact that they are unable to take direction and act impulsively. This is far from the truth, and many patients who are treated for schizophrenia are able to hold steady jobs with the proper treatment.

Schizophrenia is a serious psychological disorder that is treatable by a mental health professional. If these symptoms fit you or someone you know help is available and you can live a healthy well balanced life.