Schizophrenia is a serious mental illness which affects one person in a hundred.
It usually develops in the late teens or early twenties, though it sometimes starts in middle age or even much later in life. The earlier it begins, the more potential it has to damage the personality and the ability to lead a normal life. Athough it is treatable, relapses are common, and it may never clear up entirely. It makes working and studying, relating to other people and leading a full, independent life very difficult, and causes families much distress. This leaflet explains what it is like, why it may happen and what to do about it.