First, let's discuss what schizophrenia is not. People who are schizophrenic do NOT have multiple personalities. This misunderstanding has caused many people to misuse the term schizophrenia.
Schizophrenia is one of the most common mental illnesses.
This disorder is found throughout the world and in all races and cultures. Schizophrenia affects men and women in equal numbers, although on average, men appear to develop schizophrenia earlier than women. Generally, men show the first signs of schizophrenia in their mid 20s and women show the first signs in their late 20s. The behavior of people with schizophrenia is often very strange and shocking. The American Psychiatric Association has published guidelines that are used to classify people with mental disorders.