Myths About Schizophrenia: Subverting The Stigma
Over the years, researchers have learned much about schizophrenia, a mental illness that can cause hallucinations, delusions, and other symptoms. However, schizophrenia often continues to be surrounded by myths and stereotypes. These can be harmful to people living with the disorder and may even discourage them from seeking care. To improve our understanding of schizophrenia, we can review facts and research about the disorder while dispelling myths. For instance, most individuals with schizophrenia are not violent and they generally don’t have multiple personalities. While schizophrenia is a lifelong disorder with no cure, the condition can often be effectively managed with the proper treatment.
Understanding schizophrenia
Schizophrenia is a severe mental illness that can cause a variety of symptoms, the primary one being psychosis. Psychosis involves losing track of what's real and what's not. This could include experiencing hallucinations and holding delusions. People with schizophrenia may experience psychosis more than once in their lives.
Schizophrenia is often detectable in early adulthood, when symptoms first start to appear. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, symptoms of schizophrenia usually start earlier in men than in women. Men often start showing symptoms in their late teens to early 20s. Women may begin to display symptoms between their mid-20s and early 30s.
Positive symptoms of schizophrenia
Schizophrenia symptoms can be either positive or negative. “Positive” symptoms refer to those that are added to a person’s experience as a result of the disorder. Positive symptoms of schizophrenia may include the following:
- Hallucinations: Seeing, feeling, smelling, tasting, or hearing things that aren’t there
- Delusions: False beliefs that can’t be changed
- Changes in speech and thought: Going on tangents, mixing up words, repeating sounds, or drawing illogical conclusions
Negative symptoms of schizophrenia
“Negative” symptoms are those that are taken from a person’s experience as a result of the condition. Negative symptoms of schizophrenia may include those listed below:
- Loss of motivation to bathe, pay bills, go to work, or get dressed
- Loss of ability to experience pleasure
- Loss of interest in other people
- Lack of facial expressions, hand gestures, or other displays of emotion
Cognitive symptoms of schizophrenia
Schizophrenia may also have effects on people’s mental abilities. These other symptoms are sometimes called “cognitive” symptoms. For example, people with schizophrenia may struggle to:
- Pay attention
- Remember information
- Make plans
- Think abstractly
- Use logic
- Solve problems
- Learn new information
Symptoms like these can cause challenges in everyday life. They may also contribute to other mental health conditions, like depression and anxiety. When more than one mental health condition occurs at the same time (called “comorbid”), this may require a more specialized treatment plan to adequately address both or all conditions.
Myths about schizophrenia: Separating fact from fiction
Despite our growing knowledge of the disorder, schizophrenia often continues to be surrounded by myths. These can create stigma and make it harder for people to get the help and support they deserve. Correcting these myths may be the first step toward building a better understanding of this mental illness. Let’s take a look at some of the most common ones.
Myth: People with schizophrenia are dangerous
Fact: Media portrayals can make it seem like schizophrenia is associated with violence. However, in most cases, this isn’t true. Most people with schizophrenia don’t commit violent acts, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. In fact, they may be more likely to experience violence from others than to be violent themselves.
Myth: People with schizophrenia have multiple personalities
Fact: One of the most common myths about schizophrenia may be that it gives people a “split personality.” This may be due to the fact that schizophrenia can affect people’s moods and behavior, possibly making them seem like they have a different personality. Possibly adding to the confusion, there is a condition called dissociative identity disorder (DID) that can involve people developing multiple identities. However, this is a separate mental illness, which isn’t related to schizophrenia.
Myth: Having a family member with schizophrenia means you’ll develop it
Fact: The relationship between genetics and schizophrenia can be complicated. While genetics likely play a role in causing schizophrenia, they aren’t the only factor. According to the Schizophrenia & Psychosis Action Alliance (also known as the Schizophrenia and Related Disorders Alliance of America), even in genetically identical twins, the risk of both siblings developing schizophrenia is 50%. Other factors that may increase the risk of schizophrenia can include the following:
- Cannabis use
- Health issues during pregnancy
- Childhood trauma
- Social isolation
- Living in an urban environment
- Being born at a low weight
- Being born in the winter
Some researchers believe that schizophrenia may be triggered by a combination of genes, life experiences, and environmental factors like these.
Myth: Schizophrenia looks the same for everyone
Fact: People’s experiences of schizophrenia can vary widely. Not everyone may have the same types of symptoms, or at the same intensity. For example, some people may have more positive symptoms, while others might have more negative symptoms. Scientists used to divide schizophrenia into different subtypes based on these differences. However, schizophrenia is now considered a “spectrum disorder.” This can capture the wide variety of symptoms and effects that individuals may experience.
Myth: You can’t recover from schizophrenia
Fact: Some may believe it’s impossible to live a fulfilling life with a schizophrenia diagnosis. This may be because schizophrenia is considered a lifelong condition. However, many schizophrenia treatment options can improve its symptoms and enhance the quality of life:
- Medication (as prescribed by a doctor or psychiatrist for improving mood and reducing positive symptoms)
- Therapy
- Social skills training
- Community support (such as job placement programs and housing assistance)
- Electroconvulsive therapy (for symptoms that don’t respond to medication)
According to the World Health Organization, at least one in three people with schizophrenia may make a full recovery from their symptoms with proper treatment.
Therapy for people with schizophrenia
In a 2022 review, researchers looked at data from 14 studies of over 1,900 people with schizophrenia. They found that, in addition to those who had a complete recovery, over 35% had outcomes that were “good or better.” That said, positive outcomes like these may depend on ongoing mental health support. Alongside medication, therapy can often be a resource for managing schizophrenia. A therapist may be able to provide coping strategies, tips for reducing symptoms, and other forms of support.
However, finding affordable therapy isn’t always easy, according to a recent report from Mental Health America. The report stated that as of 2023, most U.S. adults with unmet mental healthcare needs didn’t receive treatment due to the cost. Platforms like BetterHelp can generally empower you to work with a licensed therapist from your own home with prices as low as $65 per week. This may make online therapy a more affordable alternative.
Studies show that online therapy can effectively treat mental illnesses that often occur alongside schizophrenia. In a 2016 study, 704 patients with depression and anxiety participated in an internet-based therapy program. Within six months, they usually saw significant improvements in their symptoms. However, please note that it may be necessary to seek care in person if you are experiencing acute psychosis.
Takeaway
Frequently asked questions
How do stigma and misconceptions about schizophrenia myth affect those diagnosed with the mental illness?
Misconceptions contribute to social isolation and self-stigma, making it harder for people to open up about their condition. This lack of understanding can lead to fewer opportunities for employment, housing, and relationships, compounding the challenges already faced by those with schizophrenia.
What are some common myths about schizophrenia, and how do they impact the stigma surrounding the condition?
A widespread myth is that people with schizophrenia are dangerous or have a “split personality.” These misconceptions can create fear, and misunderstanding, and lead to discrimination. The stigma often prevents individuals from seeking help and receiving the support they need, ultimately worsening their quality of life.
Is it true that people with schizophrenia always experience hallucinations, or is this just a schizophrenia myth?
Not everyone with schizophrenia experiences hallucinations. While hallucinations are a common symptom, some may have other symptoms like delusions or disorganized thinking. It's a diverse condition, and symptoms vary greatly from person to person.
How do split personality and delusions differ?
A “split personality” suggests separate identities, which is not a symptom of schizophrenia. On the other hand, delusions are false beliefs, such as thinking one has superhuman abilities or is being persecuted. Understanding this difference helps to debunk myths and promote accurate information.
Is schizophrenia the same as having a split personality, or are delusions a separate symptom for some people with schizophrenia?
Schizophrenia is not the same as having a “split personality.” The idea of split or multiple personalities is a myth. Schizophrenia primarily involves symptoms like hallucinations, delusions, and cognitive difficulties, not multiple distinct identities.
What are some myths and misconceptions about schizophrenia that contribute to stigma and discrimination?
- Myth: People with schizophrenia are violent.
- Myth: Schizophrenia means having “two minds” or “split personality.”
- Myth: All people with schizophrenia cannot work or have a meaningful life.
These false beliefs fuel fear and discrimination, making it difficult for people with the condition to be treated with empathy and respect.
How do hallucinations and negative symptoms manifest differently in schizophrenia as a mental illness?
Hallucinations involve sensing things that aren’t present, like hearing voices. Negative symptoms include a lack of motivation, reduced emotional expression, and social withdrawal. Both affect a person’s ability to function but in distinct ways.
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