The majority of people with schizophrenia will lead ordinary lives.
Schizophrenia is a mental illness.
The first acute episode can be a devastating experience, particularly as both the person experiencing the illness and those close to him will be unprepared. About one in a hundred people world-wide experience at least one such episode at some time during their lives, although the highest incidence is in the late teens and early 20's. In about one quarter of cases there is eventually a full recovery. The majority will have long periods of good functioning, with occasional problems. The recent discovery of new forms of treatment may lead to further improvement in rates of recovery, particularly if everyone involved, ie. both the person with schizophrenia and their family, learns to understand how to cope.