Why do people always misunderstand it as having an alternate personality? This guide explains Schizophrenia very vaguely (as it is a deep, complex and differing disorder). It also contains references to help further study if interested.
What is Schizophrenia?
Schizophrenia is when people "experience hallucinations (seeing, hearing, feeling, smelling or tasting something that does not exist, as if it were real). Hearing voices is the most common hallucination experienced with schizophrenia. "The patient "may hold false and often unusual beliefs with unshakeable conviction. For example, someone might fear that he or she is being watched or followed by another who wants to control or do them harm. These beliefs are called delusions" and "show little emotion or if he or she does express any it may appear out of context, for example crying at a joke. They may become withdrawn, avoiding the company of friends and family and staying in their room." Another possible symptom is "saying very little and rarely initiate a conversation. They may speak in a way that will seem muddled and illogical, conveying little meaning. They may think or act in a way that cannot easily be understood. He or she may become uncharacteristically hostile to members of the family." 1
