SCHIZOPHRENIA
Schizophrenia is an illness that includes psychotic symptoms such as hallucinations, disorganization, paranoia, delusions (believing things that are not true), disordered or illogical thinking, trouble paying attention, racing thoughts, or thoughts that seem to be blocked or disordered. A person may jump from subject to subject, or make connections between unrelated events or things that make no sense. Individuals suffering from this illness may have false beliefs, such as someone from next-door controlling the individual’s thoughts or feelings, which are called delusions. Hallucinations (hearing, seeing, feeling things that are not there) often include voices that give commands or comment on behavior. Individuals with schizophrenia may have a lack of awareness of their own or others’ feelings. They may not show emotions on their faces or may display emotions that do not seem related to the situation (such as giggling while talking about a sad event). A lack of interest, concentration, or attention to personal hygiene occurs in some individuals with schizophrenia.