Schizophrenia is a serious mental disorder , which is characterized by hearing voices or seeing non-existent images , that is, what we commonly call hallucinations, as well as delusions or paranoias caused by these. The person who suffers from it tends to have wrong thoughts that someone wants to hurt him, sometimes even without any sense and without coherence.

Due to these and other older symptoms, it is very difficult for the person suffering from schizophrenia to maintain a normalized rhythm of life; they isolate themselves socially, abandon their social, family and work relationships, lose contact with reality, etc.

Although there is no cure or remedy for this disorder, its symptoms can be controlled and reduced through the consumption of medications prescribed by a specialist (psychiatrist), in addition to psychotherapy , family education, support groups, rehabilitation, etc.

Are people with schizophrenia dangerous?

Very commonly schizophrenics are known as violent, aggressive or dangerous people to the rest of the people with whom they live, even sometimes as psychopaths without any remorse or capacity to empathize; but that thought is wrong, a myth or prejudice created by society.

On many occasions, people move away or are afraid of living with a schizophrenic person, but that fear is nothing more than ignorance, since a schizophrenic is not a real danger to society, if not, just a normal person who needs help. medication to avoid unpleasant situations for her and to control a disease.

So there is no schizophrenic who exhibits violent behavior?

To say that there is no such thing as a violent schizophrenic is false; a person with this mental disorder can be aggressive, in the same way and with the same percentage that a person can be without it.

Sometimes hearing voices that do not exist, that is, having hallucinations or delusions, can cause violent behavior in the schizophrenic, generally hurting themselves. But it is not something that should be associated with this mental disorder, only 5% show such attitudes repeatedly.

Moreover, a study showed that of that 5%, 44% showed violent verbal behaviors, such as: yelling or insulting, 29% directed their violence towards objects: hitting walls, doors, kicking the ground , etc; and only 19% of the cases showed violent behavior towards another person.

Can a schizophrenic lead a normal life?

Of course, through therapies, medication and psychological support, a person suffering from schizophrenia can lead a completely normalized rhythm of life, without any type of behavior or conduct out of the ordinary.

However, an example that psychizophrenics can lead a normalized life is the large number of famous and famous people diagnosed with this disease and who at first glance do not show any difference with other people:

– Pablo Picasso, Albert Einstein and even the well-known actress Megan Fox : all of them diagnosed with schizophrenia and with a totally normal life.

– In addition to these cases, those of: Vincet van Gogh, Friedrich Nietzche, Robert Shumann or Joan of Arc are also known, who were not diagnosed by the time in which they lived, but showed clear symptoms and behaviors of said disease.

What other myths or prejudices exist about schizophrenia?

The myth or prejudice that schizophrenics are violent and aggressive people is not the only one spread socially, there are many others that make people fear having contact with people who suffer from it, that it is very difficult for them to find work because of said fear or due to ignorance, that they sit down and are rejected by their partner, friends, colleagues, etc; and even to be offered the necessary medium help. Some of these prejudices and myths are:

– Schizophrenia is the same as multiple personality: It is known with certainty that unlike a person diagnosed with multiple personality, a schizophrenic does not go from being one person to being a completely different person, they simply suffer from hallucinations and errors of perception of reality .

– The cause of schizophrenia is purely genetic and is transmitted from parents to children: This is a very widespread misconception socially. Although genetics have to do with the cause of schizophrenia and may increase the chances of suffering from it, it is not the only factor, they also affect and to a greater extent: social factors, the environment in which the person lives, psychological factors, trauma lived in childhood, etc.

– This disease affects the intelligence of those who suffer from it : This statement is not only wrong, but it is also known that people who suffer from the disease retain all sensory, motor and intellectual abilities, even stand out in creative work, logical processes -mathematical, linguistic-verbal, and other areas of intelligence.

What is certain is that their capacities for concentration, initiative or planning may be affected, thus having disorganized thinking. Sometimes these conditions can be increased by the effect of medication. A good example of this is Albert Einstein, as we said earlier, who despite having schizophrenia stood out for his great intelligence, being currently the best known and most popular scientist.

– This disease makes it impossible for the affected person to lead a normalized rhythm of life: As we have said in previous points, this statement is totally wrong, since through medication and psychological support, the person suffering from schizophrenia can lead a completely normal life without behaviors nor distinctive behaviors.

– Schizophrenia can only be treated with drugs: If it is true that drug use is the most recommended treatment for a schizophrenic person, but it is not the only one that exists or the only way to treat it , there are also psychotherapies or talk therapies , family education, support groups, etc.

When these treatments are combined, the affected person does more favorably. However, prescription drugs for schizophrenia can alleviate certain symptoms related to disorganized thinking, delusions and hallucinations, but they do not guarantee anything, since it has multiple side effects that interfere and affect the quality of life of the patient.

– The drugs cause schizophrenia: This contradicts the myth cited above, and yet is just as false. As we have said, they affect multiple aspects. However, the consumption of these substances does delay the evolution and worsen the symptoms of the disease.