Dispelling the myths of schizophrenia
May is all about mental health awareness, and we’re continuing the trend by recognizing Schizophrenia Awareness Week (May 19 – 26). Schizophrenia is a chronic neurological condition that affects people’s sensory perceptions and sense of being, and it’s time to dispel the myths about the condition. Here are some myths and facts about schizophrenia from Northeast Ohio Medical University:1 Myth: Everyone who has schizophrenia knows that they have an illness. Fact: Many people who have schizophrenia wait months, sometimes years, and suffer needlessly before a proper diagnosis is made and treatment begins. Myth: People with schizophrenia are dangerous. Fact: Studies indicate that people receiving treatment for schizophrenia are no more dangerous than the rest of the population. Myth: People with schizophrenia have split or multiple personalities. Fact: Schizophrenia is not a split personality disorder in any way. The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) states that schizophrenia can cause extreme paranoia, along with mental changes like hearing voices others cannot, feeling very agitated or talking without making sense.2 Schizophrenia affects men and women equally, and although it’s normally diagnosed in adults over the age of 45, it is also seen in children. There is no cure for the condition, but antipsychotic drugs …