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Schizophrenia is a chronic, serious mental health condition that affects how a person thinks, feels, and behaves. It’s often misunderstood or misrepresented, which contributes to stigma and fear. People living with schizophrenia may experience hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that aren’t there), delusions (false beliefs), disorganized speech or behavior, and difficulty with concentration, memory, or social interactions. But the condition is far more nuanced than what’s often portrayed in media. Schizophrenia is not about being “out of touch with reality” all the time, and it certainly isn’t about violence or unpredictability. In fact, those are harmful myths, not facts.

Symptoms often begin in late adolescence or early adulthood, and they can vary widely from person to person. Some individuals may go through periods of stability with minimal symptoms, while others may face ongoing challenges. What’s important to understand is that schizophrenia is a medical condition — not a personal failure, not a moral weakness, and not something that can simply be “snapped out of.” Like any chronic health condition, it requires care, support, and understanding. With access to appropriate treatment and strong social support, many people with schizophrenia are able to manage their symptoms and lead fulfilling, independent lives.

Understanding schizophrenia also means learning to separate fact from fiction. It means listening to the lived experiences of those who are directly affected. It means recognizing that people with schizophrenia are more than their diagnosis. They are friends, family members, coworkers, artists, parents, students, and advocates. When we choose empathy over judgment, and education over assumption, we create a world that’s not only more informed but also more just.