Negative refers to something missing, such as lack of appropriate affect, or social interaction. The cure for schizophrenia will be found in the neurosciences. It is the goal of the Schizophrenia Society of Canada to advocate for more research in the neurosciences. Diagnostic criteria for schizophrenia differ across studies, so long-term outcomes of schizophrenia are extremely difficult to achieve. Being grouped with other mental illnesses may detract from the attention the disease receives, as mental illness has a relatively low priority for provincial and federal governments.
Mental illness is seen as non-life threatening.
In addition, there is public misunderstanding regarding the disease, which is NOT caused by childhood trauma, poverty, parenting inadequacies or guilt. Schizophrenia is not due to weakness on the part of the person with the disease. Many myths exist regarding schizophrenia not all people afflicted are criminals or dangerous. They are all, however, generally misunderstood. There are no diagnostic lab tests for schizophrenia.