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Schizophrenia is commonly believed to be multiple personalities, which is untrue. It is actually characterized by several different symptoms, which may make the individual seem as if he or she has multiple personalities.
Schizophrenia usually develops in people between fifteen and thirty, though it does occur rarely in older people. Diagnosis is based on an interview with a patient, to see if significant symptoms are present.
Many people have delusions, beliefs that are obviously untrue to others. They also suffer from hallucinations; seeing, smelling, feeling, tasting or hearing things that are not really there. Many claim to hear voices, sometimes two talking back and forth. Other times they may claim that the voices directed them to behave in a certain way – this adds to the stereotype that schizophrenia is multiple personality disorder. An individual may believe that she is a queen and that she can see and talk to the members of her court, when she obviously cannot.
Schizophrenics engage in other forms of bizarre behavior, such as talking to oneself or no one in particular, walking backwards, laughing without any stimulation to do so, or making funny faces. Some may even maintain a strange position for hours on end without explanation (this is only in very severe cases).
Because the thought process is disturbed (though the individual usually does not believe this; he feels that he is normal), this will become evident to others when talking with the individual. He or she may speak incoherently, make up new words, or suddenly stop talking in the middle of a speech.
Many schizophrenics are socially withdrawn, and tend to avoid other people. Some pretend that others do not exist. Their tone of voice may be low and monotonous, and they may avoid eye contact. Often, these individuals lack interest in participating in various activities.
A short attention span and faulty memory is also common. In mild cases, they may have trouble with abstract thinking and planning ahead. Naturally, these types of difficulty go along with both disturbed mental processes and getting older. Some people are naturally disorganized, as well. Cases where an individual exhibits ONLY these symptoms are obviously not considered schizophrenia.
All of these symptoms lead to a very disturbed and difficult life. Anyone exhibiting these symptoms must see a doctor. It may be difficult to recognize a mild case (however, that does not usually require treatment), early treatment in a somewhat mild to severe case may allow the individual to become symptom-free later in life.
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