Mental illness can affect persons of any age - children, adolescents, adults and the elderly. Mental illness is not the same as mental retardation or developmental disabilities. People with mental illness do not have a diminished intellectual capacity or a slower rate of learning. Rather, people with mental illness are generally of average or above average intelligence. While not curable , mental illnesses are treatable with medications and in conjunction with an array of psychosocial supports that enable people to live productive lives in the community.
Schizophrenia is one of the most serious and disabling of the mental illnesses.
It affects approximately one in one hundred people. It affects men and women about equally. Schizophrenia s onset is usually in the late teens or early twenties. Delusions - persistent false beliefs, not based in reality. There are many such medications currently out on the market, which work to varying levels of success.