Schizophrenia is a brain disorder that affects 1 per cent of the population. It is a real disease. It is estimated that 270,000 Canadians will be diagnosed with schizophrenia at some point in their lives. Of the few theories that are used to help explain this illness, the most widely accepted is the Dopamine theory.
Dopamine is a chemical in the brain that acts as a link to messages being sent to brain receptors.
The symptoms of this illness include disorganized thinking, delusions, hallucinations, and changes in emotion and behavior. The symptoms may vary greatly in terms of frequency, intensity, and type from person to person. Those who suffer from the disease experience periods in which there is a loss of reality. The symptoms of schizophrenia are similar, in some ways, to those of a genetic disorder. Part of the mystery of schizophrenia may be genetic.