Schizophrenia is a serious mental illness that affects how a person thinks, behaves, and feels. People that suffer with schizophrenia may seem like they have lost touch with reality, which can be distressing for them and for their family & friends. According to psychiatry.org, “When schizophrenia is active, symptoms can include delusions, hallucinations, disorganized speech, trouble with thinking and lack of motivation.” Research is leading to innovative and safer treatments for schizophrenia since there is no cure. Schizophrenia doesn’t mean split personality or multiple-personality; most people with the disorder aren’t any more dangerous or violent than people in the general population. According to the text, “Research has shown that schizophrenia affects men and women fairly equally but may have an earlier onset in males. Rates are similar around the world. People with schizophrenia are more likely to die younger than the general population, largely because of high rates of co-occurring medical conditions, such as heart disease and diabetes.” Usually, symptoms of schizophrenia first appear in early adulthood & must persist for at least 6 months for a diagnosis to be made. Before a diagnosis can be made for schizophrenia, a psychiatrist should manage a thorough medical examination to rule out substance misuse or other neurological or medical illnesses whose symptoms mimic schizophrenia. According to the site, “After the symptoms of schizophrenia are controlled, various types of therapy can continue to help people manage the illness and improve their lives. Therapy and psychosocial support can help people learn social skills, cope with stress, identify early warning signs of relapse and prolong periods of remission.” Schizophrenia can be very serious if not treated right away.