schizophrenia is a serious brain disorder that distorts the way a person thinks acts expresses emotions perceives reality and relates to others. people with schizophrenia often have problems functioning in society at work and at school and in relationships. schizophrenia can leave its sufferer frightened and withdrawn. it is a lifelong disease that cannot be cured but usually can be controlled with proper treatment. schizophrenia is a psychosis a type of mental illness in which a person cannot tell what is real from what is imagined. at times people with psychotic disorders lose touch with reality. the world may seem like a jumble of confusing thoughts images and sounds. the behavior of people with schizophrenia may be very strange and even shocking.
what is schizophrenia?