Olfactory hallucinations, smelling non-existent odors, also occur. Preoccupations are thoughts which take on more importance in the sufferer's mind than they normally would. The same thought returns often and can become unrealistic. Disordered thinking interferes with planning, motivation and communication. For example, a person may use words that make no sense, or jump from one thought to another unrelated thought.
Social withdrawal causes the schizophrenic to seek isolation.
This may include an intolerance of being in crowds, small gatherings or even with just one other person. Lack of motivation and emotion as well as apathy are symptoms which are troubling for family members to see in their loved ones. Few people experience all these symptoms at once. Some may occur during the remission phase and may worsen in the most active phase of the disorder. Any person with schizophrenia is incapable of making life decisions and requires the help of a legal guardian.