The following is based on current knowledge of schizophrenia and its treatment.
Schizophrenia is a neurological disorder which results from an imbalance of chemicals in the brain.
Among other things, this imbalance causes paranoia, disorganized thinking, delusions and hallucinations including irrational beliefs and seeing things, or hearing voices, that are not real. These are known as psychotic symptoms. If this chemical imbalance is treated by the use of appropriate anti-psychotic medications, counselling and support, significant reduction in these symptoms can be obtained. As well, paranoia lessens and improvement occurs in the individual's thinking and ability to understand that the delusions and hallucinations are not real. If, on the other hand, the individual is denied access to effective treatment, the paranoia, disordered thinking and the voices get worse.