Most people think it means that a person is insane. That is not true. Nor is a schizophrenic person a split personality like Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. These and other misconceptions have led to an unnecessary stigma attached to persons suffering from schizophrenia. This forces many people to suffer silently, to hide the fact that they are suffering and to avoid seeking treatment.
Schizophrenia is a disease that afflicts the brain.
It can be very chronic and disabling to the patient and emotionally devastating to the friends and relatives of the schizophrenic person. However, it must be remembered that schizophrenia has a biological cause, and is not a personality disorder. The right treatment may help those suffering from schizophrenia to lead productive and fulfilling lives. On account of this illness, they become very fearful and withdrawn. Most of them are afraid to seek treatment, owing to which very few recover from this disease.