The symptoms may vary greatly in terms of frequency, intensity, and type from person to person. Those who suffer from the disease experience periods in which there is a loss of reality. The symptoms of schizophrenia are similar, in some ways, to those of a genetic disorder. Part of the mystery of schizophrenia may be genetic. The disease runs in families but often skips generations.
Stress is another key factor in the illness.
Schizophrenia often affects individuals who have a combination of high stress, a slightly-off gene, and who are between the ages of 16 and 25. Many students have had to drop out of colleges and universities due to the onset of schizophrenia. There is no known cure for schizophrenia, but a number of medications have been found that help to bring biochemical imbalances closer to normal. There is a down side, however. The medications usually have serious side effects, which contribute to non-compliance and relapse.