Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia can be a frightening experience on its own. Unfortunately, it’s often misunderstood, in part due to sensational stories in the news and other media. Some people assume that people who experience schizophrenia are dangerous or believe that people who experience schizophrenia should be treated without respect for their rights and dignity. These public perceptions can leave people scared to talk about their experiences and seek help. The truth is that many people learn how to manage schizophrenia with the right tools and supports. It’s time to learn the facts about schizophrenia and see it for what it is: a treatable illness.

On this Page:

• What is it?
• Schizophrenia myths and facts
• Who does it affect?
• Could I have schizophrenia?
• What can I do about it?
• A look at the terms
• Where do I go from here

What is it?

Schizophrenia is a mental illness. It causes people to lose touch with reality and sometimes makes it difficult for them to think and speak in an organized way. (This loss of touch with reality is called psychosis. Psychosis is a part of schizophrenia, but may also be seen on its own. For more on psychosis, see “a look at the terms” below.) It isn’t known exactly what causes schizophrenia, but it’s likely a combination of several factors, such as the way your body works, your family history, your environment, and your life experiences.

Schizophrenia myths and facts

• Schizophrenia is not caused by bad parenting, childhood trauma, poverty, street drugs or alcohol
• Schizophrenia is not contagious
• Schizophrenia is very different from dissociative disorder (what used to be called split or multiple personality disorder)
• Schizophrenia is no one’s fault
• People who experience schizophrenia have a higher risk of suicide. In one study, 20-40% of people with schizophrenia attempted suicide and 5% of people with schizophrenia completed suicide,  so all talk of suicide should be taken seriously

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Who does it affect?

Schizophrenia affects about 1% of Canadians—that’s about 40,000 people in British Columbia. While scientists are still working hard to figure out what causes schizophrenia, we do know that it affects:

• Young people: Schizophrenia usually first shows up between the ages of 18 and 25 in men and between 25 and 35 in women.
• Men and women: Schizophrenia affects men and women equally as often. Men usually start to experience symptoms at an earlier age than women.
• Families: Schizophrenia seems to run in families. If a close family member (like a parent or sibling) experiences schizophrenia, you may experience an increased risk of schizophrenia. However, it’s important to remember that there is much more to schizophrenia than your genes—genes are one of several risk factors.

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Could I have schizophrenia?

While schizophrenia looks different from person to person, it always causes changes in your abilities and personality. Because it is so different in each person, you may experience some or all of the symptoms below.

• I’m hearing voices other people tell me they can’t hear
• I’m seeing things that other people tell me they can’t see
• My thoughts take a long time to form, come too fast together, or don’t form at all
• I’m convinced I’m being followed
• I feel immune to any kind of danger; I believe I can save the world
• I sometimes feel like I’m not actually in my body, that I’m floating
• I used to like being around other people, but now I’d rather just be by myself
• I want to end my life or harm myself
• I’m having trouble remembering things, concentrating and making decisions
• I’m getting confused easily

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms it’s important to talk to your doctor. People who experience schizophrenia often experience symptoms of anxiety and depression, too.

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A look at the terms

Below are the definitions of a few words that you might hear associated with schizophrenia.

• Psychosis: A group of symptoms related to the way you understand the world around you. It includes hallucinations, delusions, and confusing thinking. Hallucinations are things you sense that aren’t real. The most common hallucination is hearing voices. Delusions are strong beliefs that can’t be true. Common delusions include believing that someone is following you or watching you, or believing that you have special powers. Confused thinking can make it difficult to speak in ways that others understand, concentrate, or complete daily tasks. Psychosis is a major part of schizophrenia. It can be caused by other health problems, too: another mental illness, substance use or substance withdrawal, brain injury, and other health problems. To learn more about psychosis, see our “Psychosis” info sheet at www.heretohelp.bc.ca.
• Schizoaffective disorder: A mental illness that includes symptoms of both schizophrenia and a mood disorder.
• Negative symptoms: Symptoms that “take away.” With schizophrenia, this may be loss of interest in things you used to enjoy, loss of emotions, or loss of concentration.
• Positive symptoms: Symptoms that “add.” With schizophrenia, this may be hallucination, delusions, or strange thoughts.

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What can I do about it?

Schizophrenia is treatable. While there is no cure, you can learn how to effectively manage schizophrenia. An important part of recovery is seeking help early. Many people are scared to tell others about their experiences because they worry about what others will think or do. However, early treatment can help you recovery faster and more completely. As schizophrenia usually starts when you’re a teen or young adult, it can interfere in your development and interrupt your goals in school or work. Early treatment can help you get back on track with fewer delays. Of course, it’s also never too late to seek help. There are many different things you can try—talk with your doctor to see what might be right for you.

• Medication: Most people with schizophrenia can be treated with medications called antipsychotics. New types of antipsychotics (also called atypical antipsychotics) may have fewer side effects than older types, but the important part is finding a strategy that works best for you. It may take time to find the right medication and the right dose, so it’s important to be patient during this process. Whenever you start a new medication, it’s a good idea to talk to your doctor about what to expect and what you can do to reduce side effects.
• Counselling: Counselling is a very important part of treatment for schizophrenia. A counsellor can help you learn new skills, cope with challenges you experience, and support you on your own path to recovery. Extra supports around job skills, financial management and social skills may also be helpful. You often find these supports in local mental health teams. A type of talk therapy called cognitive-behavioural therapy can help with symptoms like confused thinking, and a type called metacognitive training (MCT) teaches you about thought patterns involved in psychosis.
  Counselling is also important for families and loved ones because it can help them learn more about schizophrenia, what to expect, navigating the system, and supporting someone. They can learn what they can do to help their loved one, especially during relapses or crisis.
• Hospitalization and follow-up: If you become extremely ill with schizophrenia, you may need to go the hospital. Once you are out of the hospital, regular check-ups with your doctor and/or community mental health team are a good idea. (See our ‘Getting Help for Mental Illnesses’ sheet for more about mental health teams). The BC Schizophrenia Society has helpful worksheets to help you plan your release from hospital and transition back into your regular routine.
• Support groups: You are not alone. Support groups, for both people with the illness and loved ones, are a great way to share your experiences and learn from the experiences of others.
• Self-help: During and after treatment, there are some things you can do on your own to help keep you feeling better. Regular exercise, eating well, managing stress, spending time with friends and family, keeping in touch with your spirituality, and minimizing the use of alcohol and other drugs can help keep your symptoms from getting worse or coming back. Talking to your doctor, asking questions, and feeling in charge of your own health are also very important. Always talk to your doctor about what you’re doing on your own.

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Where do I go from here?

In addition to talking to your family doctor, check out the resources below for more information on schizophrenia:

Helpful resources available in English only are:

BC Schizophrenia Society
Visit www.bcss.org or call 1-888-888-0029 (toll-free in BC) or 604-270-7841 (in Greater Vancouver) for resources and information on schizophrenia and psychosis, including family support groups, respite care, support for children with a parent with a mental illness, and education courses for persons with schizophrenia and their families.

Canadian Mental Health Association, BC Division
Visit www.cmha.bc.ca or call 1-800-555-8222 (toll-free in BC) or 604-688-3234 (in Greater Vancouver) for information and community resources on mental health or any mental illness.

BC Partners for Mental Health and Addictions Information
Visit www.heretohelp.bc.ca for our Managing Mental Illnesses series of info sheets, more information, and personal stories about schizophrenia. You’ll also find tips and self-tests to help you take control of your mental health.

Resources available in many languages:
*For each service below, if English is not your first language, say the name of your preferred language in English to be connected to an interpreter. More than 100 languages are available.

HealthLink BC
Call 811 or visit www.healthlinkbc.ca to access free, non-emergency health information for anyone in your family, including mental health information. Through 811, you can also speak to a registered nurse about symptoms you’re worried about, or talk with a pharmacist about medication questions.

Crisis lines aren’t only for people in crisis. You can call for information on local services or if you just need someone to talk to. If you are in distress, call310-6789(do not add 604, 778 or 250 before the number) 24 hours a day to connect to a BC crisis line, without a wait or busy signal. The crisis lines linked in through 310-6789 have received advanced training in mental health issues and services by members of the BC Partners for Mental Health and Addictions Information.

© 2014

This info sheet was prepared by CMHA BC Division on behalf of the BC Partners for Mental Health and Addictions Information and HeretoHelp. Funding was provided by BC Mental Health and Substance Use Services, an agency of the Provincial Health Services Authority. For more resources visit HeretoHelp.bc.ca.