Schizophrenia is a common mental disorder that gets a lot of bad press, mainly because of fear. TV shows will have you thinking that schizophrenics are all murderers or inherently violent, that schizophrenics should be locked up for the rest of their lives because of the danger they pose to society. Is this the case? Are Schizophrenics really that dangerous? The answer is simply, absolutely not!

Schizophrenics are people just like you and me who have a mental disorder that profoundly affects every aspect of their lives. This doesn’t mean that schizophrenics are plotting ways to kill other people, if you’re that paranoid, you might want to seek help for yourself.

The media has painted schizophrenics to look like nut cases who talk to themselves and see things and have violent outbursts. While some of this is true, for example, seeing things and hearing things, it has been dramatized greatly. Most Schizophrenics lead somewhat normal lives if they are on medication that is treating their disorder.

Taking medication is of utmost important

The problem lies in the people who are put on medication, start feeling better, then decide to get off of their medications since they think they don’t need them. Luckily, most states and countries provide mental health centers where schizophrenics can get back on their medicine in a structured setting.

Schizophrenics do have breakdowns occasionally, but the chance of them getting violent is slim to none and the best way you can deal with them when they are having an episode is to leave them be and let them come back into the real world.

Some every-day problems that Schizophrenic's face are:

  • Having to take heavy anti-psychotics such as Invega Sustenna, Zyprexa, or for the more severe forms of schizophrenia, Clozaril. These medications make you incredibly tired and want to sleep all day.
  • Trying to escape their inner world because it can be hard to differentiate what is real and what is not. This is a characteristic of disassociation.
  • Seeing scary visuals and hearing scary voices, which can frighten them greatly.
  • Being judged by other people because they can’t help what they are going through.

Treat people how you want to be treated

I think it is important to remember that people with mental health disorders deserve to be treated with dignity and respect just as the rest of the population.

Schizophrenia can be a painful disorder on its own without the added pressure of people judging and making fun of them.

Unfortunately, in recent studies, it has shown that schizophrenia actually fries part of the brain and overloads certain other parts, completely disrupting the entire communication system. This new development, as terrible as it is, can put scientists on the right track to understanding how to help schizophrenic patients better.
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