These groups teach the person with schizophrenia about how to manage their affairs and live at least semi-independently. Often included are such topics as money management, shopping, cooking, cleaning, social skills, hygiene and grooming, keeping a daily planner, stress management, anger management, and problem solving skills. These type of groups are sometimes provided as often as three days a week for 2-3 hours a day, and are also highly recommended for the person with schizophrenia. Yes, in some ways, we really have made progress. There has always been some type of superstition or stigma attached to mental illness, regardless of the time period, part of the world, or culture.
Ancient writings describe classic symptoms of schizophrenia.
Generally, the mentally ill have always been mistreated and castigated within their societies. Some societies down through history have aligned serious mental illness with demon possession or a curse on a person or family. They were put on display in a circus type atmosphere in England in the 1900's to earn money for the poor houses. Reforms began in the industrialized world within the last 100-150 years, and began with the development of the mental hospital system and various treatments and therapies. Certainly, Sigmund Freud and the development of psychology as a profession contributed to the de-stigmatizing and more humane treatment of the mentally ill.