I just couldn't accept the fact that he had an above average 1. Q., was goodlooking, had a good personality, and was ill. Parent of a child with schizophrenia Just as other illnesses have signs or symptoms, so does schizophrenia. However, the symptoms are not identical for each person who has the illness. A final one-third have symptoms for a lifetime.
Schizophrenia always involves deterioration and changes from a previous level of functioning.
The person with schizophrenia has difficulty in separating what is real from what is unreal. As the person becomes more stressed by the demands of day to day living, the person may withdraw and the symptoms become more pronounced. At first, the changes may be subtle, minor and go unnoticed. As they worsen they become obvious to family members, friends and co-workers. There is a loss of feeling or emotions, a lack of interest and motivation.