Contrary to popular belief, schizophrenia is not a 'split personality'. However, people with schizophrenia may have perceptions of reality that are extremely different from those shared by others around them. They often suffer distressing symptoms such as hearing voices not heard by others, or believing that other people are reading their minds, controlling their thoughts, or plotting to harm them
The first signs of schizophrenia often appear as confusing or shocking changes in behaviour and severe psychotic symptoms such as hallucinations or delusions. Some people may have only one psychotic episode; others have many episodes, but most sufferers lead relatively normal lives in between.
However recurring, or chronic, schizophrenia usually prevents normal functioning and requires long-term treatment. Schizophrenia can be especially difficult for family members who remember how different their loved one was before they became ill.
The General Psychiatry team at The Causeway Retreat are specialists in the treatment of a range of mental health conditions including Schizophrenia.