Myths or False Beliefs vs. Actual facts About Schizophrenia
Myth: Schizophrenics have several personas or multiple selves.
(Or) Schizophrenia is just the same as multiple personality disorder.
Fact: People with a condition known as multiperson disorder have distinct, well-defined personas that they switch between frequently. A person with dissociative identity disorder may behave like different personalities at different times.
Schizophrenia is a brain disorder characterized by delusions, hallucinations, and irrational beliefs, which can be signs of the disease—schizophrenia results in a single personality. There are various schizophrenia symptoms, but it differs from multiple personality disorders. The ‘split’ refers to the fact that their thinking, feeling, and behaving may not be consistent/coherent with one another (e.g., smiling while recollecting a tragic incident) (e.g., laughing while reminiscing a sad story).
Myth: Schizophrenia affects everyone the same way.
Fact: Not all individuals who have Schizophrenia endure the same type of mental illness. Schizophrenia symptoms can also differ from person to person. Schizophrenia manifests itself in various ways, each with its unique set of signs and prognosis.
Myth: People with mental illness are dangerous; they can be very hostile and injure themselves or the individuals surrounding them.
Fact: Schizophrenia occasionally can cause an individual to conduct violently. However, not all with Schizophrenia are violent. A small percentage of the population commits violence. Even these folks are not always aggressive; they may become primarily violent when severely ill. After a thorough evaluation and adequate medication, a person with Schizophrenia is no somewhat violent than a person who does not have the ailment.
Patients who have improved as a result of treatment are no more hazardous than anyone else.
Myth: Childhood neglect or abuse is the root of Schizophrenia.
Fact: Abuse or neglect as a child is not a risk factor for developing Schizophrenia. The development of Schizophrenia is connected to the development of the brain and other health conditions: genetic, physical, psychological, and spiritual. The brain undergoes structural changes during adolescence. One of the possibilities is that due to some incorrect disruption that develops in the nervous system during adolescence, the teenager may be more sensitive to acquiring the condition if other risk factors are also present. The specialist should assess symptoms of Schizophrenia, and then it can be appropriately diagnosed.
Myth: Schizophrenics need to be treated in a facility.
Fact: Not all schizophrenics need to be institutionalized. Mental health specialists can help families care for their loved ones in their own homes by understanding their illness and figuring out what kind of help they need. Symptoms of Schizophrenia should not be ignored but should be evaluated by the healthcare professional.