Can People With Schizophrenia Live A Typical Life? Myths Vs. Reality

Schizophrenia is a serious mental health disorder that can impact a person’s quality of life in various ways. Symptoms of schizophrenia, such as hallucinations, delusions, and social isolation, can make it challenging to manage aspects of daily life, including work, school, and interpersonal relationships. Reducing schizophrenia symptoms by working with a team of doctors and mental health professionals may help a person resume a more typical day-to-day life. 

For people with schizophrenia, receiving a formal diagnosis can have many meanings, and several myths about schizophrenia can be said to have stigmatized the disorder. However, those living with schizophrenia can go on to hold jobs, maintain relationships, and enjoy fulfilling lives with professional treatment and support.

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What is schizophrenia? 

Schizophrenia typically impacts less than 1% of the population in the United States. Understanding the signs and symptoms of schizophrenia, as well as how the disorder can impact a person’s life, may be helpful when developing a management plan. Because schizophrenia is typically classified as a spectrum disorder, the condition can involve a range of symptoms that present differently in each person living with it. 

Symptoms of schizophrenia may include positive symptoms. These can be thought of as symptoms that are usually absent in a person without schizophrenia, such as hallucinations, delusions, and disorganized speech. Individuals may also experience negative symptoms, or symptoms that remove a characteristic that is typically present, such as a reduction in speech, lack of motivation, or social withdrawal. 

The exact cause of schizophrenia is currently unknown. However, a combination of genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors likely contribute to the development of the disorder. Although there may not be a cure for schizophrenia, symptoms can often be reduced with proper treatment. Schizophrenia treatment is usually ongoing and multidimensional, and can involve various mental health professionals and doctors. 

How does schizophrenia impact a person’s life? 

Schizophrenia may come with short- and long-term impacts that affect a person’s daily life. Symptoms like social withdrawal, hallucinations, and delusions can make it challenging to go to work or school and interact with others. Communication difficulties may arise due to disorganized thinking and speech patterns.  

A person with schizophrenia may experience physical health challenges as well. Studies have shown a potential connection between schizophrenia and cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and obesity. Physical health challenges related to schizophrenia symptoms may be caused by antipsychotic medication side effects and other factors linked to the disorder. A doctor or mental health professional may monitor the physical and mental impacts of the disorder and any prescribed medications to adjust treatment as needed.

Although updated evidence may be necessary, people with schizophrenia may experience stigmatization and discrimination from people at work, school, and in daily life. In movies, TV shows, and other popular media, schizophrenia is frequently depicted as a violent disorder or a mental illness in which a person has multiple personalities. Although largely untrue, these myths can impact how others see people with schizophrenia and how people with schizophrenia view themselves.

Myths and realities of schizophrenia

Living with schizophrenia can be challenging, and there tend to be many myths and misconceptions surrounding the disorder. Separating these myths from the realities of living with schizophrenia can promote understanding and support. 

Myth: People with schizophrenia have a "split personality" or multiple personalities.

Reality: Dissociative identity disorder (DID) is different from schizophrenia. Symptoms of DID can include having two or more different personalities or identities. Although trauma may be involved in the development of both disorders, schizophrenia does not involve DID symptoms, and the two are distinct disorders with different diagnoses.

Myth: People with schizophrenia are violent and dangerous.

Reality: Similar to the general population, the vast majority of people with schizophrenia are not violent. For many people with schizophrenia, violence may occur due to comorbid factors, such as substance use. Individuals with schizophrenia tend to be targets of violence more often than perpetrators. 

Myth: People with schizophrenia cannot recover or lead fulfilling lives.

Reality: While schizophrenia is typically a chronic condition that requires lifelong management, many people with the disorder can lead fulfilling lives with the right treatment and support. Joining support groups, fostering community through group therapy and/or family therapy, attending individual therapy sessions, and taking medication as prescribed can help a person with schizophrenia manage symptoms and lead a fulfilling life. 

Myth: Schizophrenia is caused by bad parenting or personal weakness.

Reality: Schizophrenia can be considered a complex disorder with genetic, biological, and environmental factors that can contribute to its development. Although the exact causes of the disorder are not fully understood, schizophrenia is not caused by bad parenting or personal weakness.

Myth: People with schizophrenia are intellectually disabled.

Reality: While schizophrenia can impact cognitive function, particularly in areas like memory and attention, this does not necessarily mean a person has a low IQ or an intellectual disability. Individuals with schizophrenia, like people without schizophrenia, typically have a range of intelligence levels.

Dispelling these myths, both for the general public and for people with schizophrenia, may normalize the disorder and encourage people to seek the support they deserve. 

Factors influencing quality of life

For individuals with schizophrenia, many factors may influence how symptoms impact overall quality of life. After a diagnosis, what is considered “normal” may change. However, quality of life can be improved with consistent treatment and effective coping strategies. 

One major factor that can influence quality of life is how well a person adheres to treatment recommendations after an initial diagnosis. An initial acute episode may be treated using the resources at treatment facilities. However, after the initial episode, individuals may need to seek out additional help from a psychiatrist and therapist. Seeking support can minimize symptoms and help a person navigate daily life more effectively. 

Schizophrenia often co-occurs with other conditions like depression, anxiety, substance use disorder, and obsessive-compulsive disorder. Physical comorbidities, such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and obesity, can also be common for individuals with schizophrenia. Improving quality of life may involve reducing comorbid conditions and their symptoms. Often, lifestyle adjustments like getting plenty of sleep each night, staying hydrated, maintaining nutrient-rich eating habits, and exercising regularly can be helpful in addition to professional treatment.

Strategies for living well with schizophrenia

Strategies for living well with schizophrenia may begin with medication management and adherence. When symptoms like hallucinations and delusions have been reduced by doctor-prescribed medication, it can be easier to focus on developing healthy coping strategies. 

Working with a licensed mental health professional can also be beneficial. For individuals with schizophrenia, in-person or online cognitive behavioral therapy can be an effective way to manage symptoms. A therapist can teach strategies like mindfulness, guided meditation, and other reflective practices to adjust potentially harmful thought patterns and behaviors. 

For people living with schizophrenia, traveling to a brick-and-mortar therapist’s office and finding a local therapist who is a good fit can be challenging. Online therapy can offer the flexibility of meeting when and where you are most comfortable. In general, you only need a device and an internet connection to attend a therapy session with a licensed professional. Additionally, online therapy is not limited to practitioners in your local area. You can connect with a therapist from anywhere in the world, potentially increasing the probability of finding a therapist with whom you connect and feel comfortable. However, please note that online therapy isn’t an appropriate choice for crisis situations or for individuals currently experiencing acute psychosis.