According to Dr. Gerry Nestadt, Associate Professor of Psychiatry and Mental Hygiene for the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine and School of Public Health, schizophrenia is a chronic condition that affects many aspects of an individual s life, but with treatment individuals can live relatively good and full lives in the community. The following information was provided by Dr. Nestadt in an interview.
Schizophrenia is a chronic condition that affects many aspects of an individual s life.
If affects the way they perceive the world and the way they think about the world. They are likely to have hallucinations, delusions, and have a limitation on their ability to function in the community. There are two areas where schizophrenia can become problematic. It can be very distressing to the person. The other element that is very difficult for a schizophrenic is that they are unable to adequately perform in the usual roles that we all take for granted, such as in school or work or even relate to their own family.