Article: Schizophrenia is a severe brain disorder that can be kept under control with medication and therapy. Schizophrenia changes the way a person thinks, feels, and generally perceives the world. For this reason, it is very common for people with the condition to have hallucinations and delusions. To have hallucinations means to see or hear things that others cannot. To have delusions means to accept false beliefs as true. An example of a hallucination would be hearing voices that other people cannot hear. An example of a delusion would be a person with schizophrenia thinking that someone else was reading his or her mind. Although loss of contact with reality (psychosis) is a typical sign of schizophrenia, it is not the only one. People with schizophrenia may also exhibit loss of interest and drive, speech problems, depression, memory difficulties, and mood swings. Exacerbation of symptoms usually occurs when people stop treatment. It can also be the result of substance abuse, other diseases, psychosocial stress, and adverse effects of the drug being used for treatment. Although schizophrenia cannot be cured, symptoms usually improve with proper treatment. As many as 50% of patients receiving medical treatment experience significant recovery. It is also important to remember that treatment of schizophrenia requires more than just drugs. When treatment is combined with psychological and psychosocial therapies, patients can recover more quickly. The reality is that while 20 to 25% of people struggling with schizophrenia will experience remission, and about 50% will continue to have persistent or intermittent symptoms. Many people think that with love and support they will be able to cure their loved ones. While love and support do play a large factor, it is also important to check your expectations and make sure that they reflect the reality of the disease.

What is a summary?
Learn the basics of what schizophrenia is. Understand the concept of hallucinations and delusions. Know some of the other side effects of schizophrenia. Understand what can exacerbate the problems associated with schizophrenia. Learn about how schizophrenia is treated. Keep your expectations realistic.