Nearly 24 million people are
affected by schizophrenia
worldwide
Through medication and a treatment plan, a person living with schizophrenia may be able to manage some of their symptoms such as their hallucinations and delusions and feel "stable."
But even when "stable," some people living with schizophrenia may still have symptoms that affect their daily lives.
These symptoms are called:
Cognitive symptoms—like difficulty following instructions or conversations
Negative symptoms—like low motivation and emotion
If you are living with schizophrenia, or you are a caregiver for someone who is, it's important to understand how cognitive and negative symptoms may affect the lives of those living with the disease.
Tackling misconceptions
There are some things people might not understand about those living with schizophrenia
A person living with schizophrenia is not someone with multiple personalities
Research shows that most people with schizophrenia are not violent and are actually more likely to be victims of violence by perpetrators
A person with this illness should not be called “a schizophrenic,” as the term can be stigmatizing and dehumanizing—a person with schizophrenia is a person, not a diagnosis
WHAT IS SCHIZOPHRENIA?
Schizophrenia is a mental illness with many
symptoms
The most well-known symptoms are hallucinations and delusions. These are called positive
symptoms. When a person is affected by positive symptoms, they may:
Hear voices
See things that aren’t there
Believe things that aren’t true
Schizophrenia can be more than positive
symptoms
symptoms
Managing schizophrenia is more than managing positive symptoms like hallucinations and
delusions. Other symptoms, like cognitive and negative, can make it hard to manage life. For
example, even when people living with schizophrenia are treated for hallucinations and
delusions, cognitive and negative symptoms may still make it hard to work, study, or live
alone. That's why it's so important to understand the many symptoms of schizophrenia.
See what looking beyond stable means to people living with
schizophrenia and others
Look beyond hallucinations and delusions
With schizophrenia, there are 3 types of symptoms. To learn how these symptoms may
affect your life, or the life of someone you care for, let's take a look at 3 different people
living with schizophrenia.
Stephanie has positive symptoms.
See the examples of positive symptoms below:
Hallucinations (seeing things, hearing voices, or tasting, feeling, or smelling some things that are not in fact there)
Delusions or a strong belief in things that aren’t true
Elias has cognitive symptoms.
See the examples of cognitive symptoms specific to understanding concepts and completing tasks below:
Trouble paying attention and remembering things
Trouble with processing speed, problem solving, and organizing thoughts
Trouble handling social situations
His cognitive symptoms may make it hard to do daily tasks, such as:
Caring for personal hygiene
Following bus or train schedules
Going shopping
Making a meal
Paying bills
Remembering conversations
Keeping doctor appointments
Anna has negative symptoms.
See the examples of negative symptoms specific to motivation and emotion below:
Trouble finding motivation to finish tasks or chores
Avoiding other people or wanting to be alone
Unable to feel happy
Trouble speaking
Lacking emotion; not smiling or using facial emotions
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