Schizophrenia is a complex, lifelong brain disorder that affects how a person thinks, feels, and behaves. Because of how it’s often shown in movies and books, many people have the wrong idea about what schizophrenia really is. These misunderstandings can make it harder for people living with the condition to feel understood and to get support and treatment.

If you or someone you care about has been diagnosed with schizophrenia, you’re not alone. Understanding the facts can help you see past the myths and better advocate for yourself or your loved one.

6 Facts About Schizophrenia

Having facts and statistics at your disposal can help you figure out how to live well with schizophrenia. Here are some facts about the condition, including common myths that are often associated with those facts.

1. Schizophrenia Has Both Environmental and Genetic Risk Factors

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), schizophrenia affects between 0.25 percent and 0.64 percent of people in the United States. Scientists don’t yet know exactly what causes schizophrenia, but several factors can increase a person’s risk.

Genetic factors may play a role in schizophrenia, especially if someone has a family history of the condition. Environmental factors also may increase the risk, including drug use, stress, and problems during gestation and birth.

In the past, some people believed schizophrenia was caused by bad parenting or abuse during childhood, largely due to outdated psychological theories like those of Sigmund Freud. However, there’s no evidence that either of these contributed to schizophrenia.

Schizophrenia may be caused by genetic factors, or it may be caused by something in your environment. Things like drug use, stress, and problems during gestation and birth can all influence schizophrenia.

These assumptions are based on antiquated ideas and misunderstandings about what kind of disorder schizophrenia is. The more researchers study schizophrenia, the more we know that it's caused by factors that aren’t under the control of either the person with the diagnosis nor those closest to them.

2. Hallucinations Are Just One Symptom of Schizophrenia

Many people associate schizophrenia with hallucinations — seeing or hearing things that aren’t there. However, there are more symptoms that people can experience. It’s helpful to put these into three categories:

• Positive symptoms — These involve changes in thinking or perception that add something new, such as hallucinations, delusions (false beliefs), and disorganized thoughts or speech.
• Negative symptoms — These involve the loss or reduction of normal abilities. They can include reduced motivation, less emotional expression, social withdrawal, or difficulty feeling pleasure.
• Cognitive symptoms — These affect thinking skills like memory, attention, and the ability to plan or organize.

Hallucinations might be one of the symptoms that scare people the most. They’re also the most interesting to show on television. However, people living with schizophrenia can experience a combination of all of the symptoms listed above.

Another common myth is that schizophrenia automatically makes a person dangerous. This is not true. While some research has found a slightly higher rate of violence among people with the diagnosis, many people with the condition never act violently.

Understanding the statistics behind this myth can be helpful. Many people diagnosed with schizophrenia are young adults, and younger people in general tend to have higher rates of violence, regardless of diagnosis. When researchers compare people with schizophrenia to the general population, they often don’t account for age differences. When compared to others of the same age, people with schizophrenia are not necessarily more violent.

In fact, studies show that the small increase in risk is mostly linked to people with both schizophrenia and substance use disorders. This means that schizophrenia alone does not explain the risk — and many people living with schizophrenia are not violent at all.

3. Schizophrenia Shares Symptoms With Other Conditions, Making It Difficult To Diagnose

Specialized mental health professionals, such as psychiatrists or psychologists, usually diagnose schizophrenia. The process often involves a review of the person’s medical and mental health history, a conversation about current symptoms, and tests to rule out other conditions that might be causing similar symptoms.

Diagnosing schizophrenia can be tricky because it shares similar symptoms with other mental health disorders like depression, bipolar 1 disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder.

Most people with schizophrenia get diagnosed relatively early in life, according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). For men, diagnosis usually occurs right before or during the early 20s, according to NAMI; for women, it’s usually in the late 20s to early 30s.

Diagnosing schizophrenia can be difficult because it shares similar symptoms with other mental health disorders, including:

• Major depressive disorder
• Bipolar 1 disorder
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

Some symptoms of schizophrenia can also look similar to the effects of using certain drugs, such as amphetamines or hallucinogens.

Modern media sometimes confuse schizophrenia with having “multiple personalities.” But these are two completely separate disorders. What used to be called “multiple personality disorder” or “split personality disorder” is now known as dissociative identity disorder (DID), and it’s very rare. Schizophrenia is a psychotic disorder, while DID is a dissociative disorder — they are not the same and are not related.

4. Schizophrenia Can Be Managed With Medications and Therapy

Some people believe that because schizophrenia has a genetic component, it can’t be treated or that there are no effective treatment options. That’s not true. Many people with schizophrenia are able to manage their symptoms and lead fulfilling lives with the right treatment plan.

Schizophrenia is usually treated with antipsychotic medications (or antipsychotics). Second-generation antipsychotics are the most commonly used and are often prescribed in the form of pills. Some antipsychotics are available via an injection, and they last longer. If someone also experiences symptoms of depression, antidepressant medications may be added to their treatment plan.

Talk therapy is also recommended to treat schizophrenia. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a common approach that helps people improve their quality of life with schizophrenia. CBT helps people become aware of and learn how to change their thoughts and behaviors. Mental health professionals teach skills and techniques that help with this, like acceptance, problem-solving, and emotional regulation. Self-care for people with schizophrenia can involve incorporating these techniques into their everyday lives.

There is no cure for schizophrenia, but treatment can make a big difference. For most people, managing schizophrenia means ongoing care — a combination of medication, therapy, and support that continues over time.

5. Depression Can Be a Symptom of Schizophrenia or a Distinct Condition

Schizophrenia and depression are often linked, but the connection is complex. Sometimes, depression is a symptom of schizophrenia. Other times, it’s a comorbidity — a separate condition that occurs at the same time.

One study looked at 90 people with schizophrenia. Of those, 31 percent had symptoms of depression. A more recent study looked at all the research available about the two conditions. Researchers found that 32.6 percent of people with schizophrenia were also diagnosed with depression.

Having both schizophrenia and depression can increase the risk of suicidal thoughts or behaviors. If you’re feeling hopeless or thinking about hurting yourself, it’s important to talk to your doctor or mental health provider right away. You are not alone, and help is available.

Note: If you or someone you know needs help, you can contact the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988 or chatting online.

6. You Can Work With Schizophrenia

A common myth about schizophrenia is that people living with it can’t work or return to their life in a meaningful way. This isn’t true, however. In one study, 83 percent of people diagnosed with schizophrenia were able to go back to school or work after intensive treatment. Some of these people needed additional support and accommodations, such as more breaks or a quieter work environment. However, they were able to succeed and stay employed.

Schizophrenia symptoms may make it more difficult to work, but many people find jobs that fit their strengths and needs. You might prefer a job that’s remote, has a steady routine, or involves less social interaction. Or you may thrive in a structured setting with clear expectations. It’s important to note that under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), people living with schizophrenia have the legal right to request reasonable accommodations at work. These include flexible scheduling, modified duties, or extra time for tasks.

Everyone’s needs and abilities are different. As you explore work or school opportunities, think about your symptoms, your goals, and what kind of environment helps you feel your best.

Get the Facts and Keep Learning

Schizophrenia is often misunderstood, but separating fact from fiction is one of the most powerful ways to combat stigma and support yourself or someone you care about. Learning the truth about symptoms, treatment options, and life after diagnosis can help you better navigate the condition and push back against harmful myths.

If you’re looking to understand more, talk with your healthcare provider and seek out trustworthy sources like the NAMI or the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). The more you know, the better equipped you’ll be to advocate for compassionate, informed care.

Talk With Others Who Understand

MyDepressionTeam is the social network for people with depression and their loved ones. On MyDepressionTeam, more than 150,000 members come together to ask questions, give advice, and share their stories with others who understand life with depression.

What facts about schizophrenia are the most helpful for you? What false beliefs bother you the most? Share your experience in the comments below, or start a conversation by posting on your Activities page.