In the United States one in a hundred people, about 2.5 million, have this disease. It knows no racial, cultural or economic boundaries. Symptoms usually appear between the ages of 13 and 25, but often appear earlier in males than females. If you or a loved one experience several of these symptoms for more than two weeks, seek help immediately. A medical or mental health professional may use the following terms when discussing the symptoms of schizophrenia.
Positive symptoms are disturbances that are added to the person s personality.
Hallucinations seeing, feeling, tasting, hearing or smelling something that doesn t really exist. The most common experience is hearing imaginary voices that give commands or comments to the individual. Individuals may make up their own words or sounds. Negative symptoms are capabilities that are lost from the person s personality. No cure for schizophrenia has been discovered, but with proper treatment, many people with this illness can lead productive and fulfilling lives.