Misconceptions Of Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia is a brain disease that expresses itself in terms of disturbances in thinking, perception, and behavior (). Violence is often correlated with the disease and as a result many people believe schizophrenics to be extremely dangerous. In fact, the majority of society looks at schizophrenia with either indifference or fear. Schizophrenia is a complex disorder, understanding of which requires an in-depth look at its causes, effects, and available treatments.
. For the millions of Americans living with schizophrenia, life can be a strange and terrifying journey. Schizophrenia affects approximately 2.2 million Americans; most of which endure with no treatment. A 2005 study showed that fewer than half of schizophrenia patients in the U.S. get appropriate medical treatment for the disease, let alone adequate counseling or other help for the social aspects of their illness ( ). It is a widely misunderstood disease; there are many misconceptions about the troubling illness. For example, one misperception is the schizophrenia is a deteriorating disease that only ends poorly. When in fact, with proper treatment, patients can …show more content…
As soso explains, the cost of treatment is severely high because the disease lasts throughout the rest of a person’s life. . Although the worldwide prevalence of schizophrenia is low, of those diagnosed “40-50% attempt suicide” and “10-15% succeed” in killing themselves ( ). Schizophrenia can have tragic effects not only for the person experiencing it, but for those around them as well. Cost to society/disruptive to family life. Family’s burden of caring. Health care costs are a major expense for families of those diagnosed with the illness. A common misconception is that schizophrenia is a deteriorating disease that only ends poorly. However, thanks to advances in medical research and technology doctors are now better equipped than ever to help patients with