Schizophrenia is a severe mental illness described by the American Psychiatric Association as "one of the most debilitating and baffling mental illnesses known." Schizophrenia is characterized by a dysfunction of the thinking process, such as hallucinations and delusions, and withdrawal from the outside world. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, “People with schizophrenia sometimes hear voices others don’t hear, believe that others are broadcasting their thoughts to the world, or become convinced that others are plotting to harm them. These experiences can make them fearful and withdrawn and cause difficulties when they try to have relationships with others.”

At any given time, between 1 percent and 2 percent of the world's population – including 1 to 2 million American adults – is afflicted with schizophrenia. It is the single most destructive disease to young lives. Men and women are at equal risk of developing schizophrenia. Males usually develop symptoms between 16 and 25 years old and females develop symptoms between ages 25 and early thirties. According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), “in adolescents, the first signs can include a change of friends, a drop in grades, sleep problems, and irritability. Since many normal adolescents exhibit these behaviors as well, a diagnosis can be difficult to make at this stage. In young people who go on to develop the disease, this is called the "prodromal" period.”

Top of Page