Common Stereotypes |

Common Stereotypes

an explanation & debunking of common misconceptions of schizophrenia

having schizophrenia means having multiple personalities:

This is fiction. This is one of the biggest misconceptions about the disorder. There is a disorder that is characterized as having multiple personalities called dissociative identity disorder (DID), but schizophrenia is not. According to WebMD, 64% of people in a poll believe this stereotype. The most likely reason for this confusion may be because people with this disorder can hear voices and this symptom can be confused with them having different personalities.

people with schizophrenia are dangerous & violent:

This is fiction. Because most of the American population’s exposure of schizophrenia comes from popularized films, tv shows, and media we have gained this misconception that those with this disorder are dangerous and could hurt someone or worse with little to no remorse. Society has adopted this belief from horror movies that characterize people with this disorder as being monsters, villains, and evil which perpetuates a general misunderstanding of the disorder.

People with schizophrenia are much more likely to cause harm to themselves rather than others. 6% of all diagnosed schizophrenic patients commit suicide, 20% have at some point attempted suicide in their lifetime (1/20 individuals), with even more engaging in self-harming behaviors. Even still, the majority of those with this disorder tend to be withdrawn and are prone to isolation.

if you have schizophrenia you must live in a mental hospital:

This is fiction. There was a time when we did not know much about this illness, therefore, more people were checked into hospitals and stayed there for much if not all of their lives. Since then, we have learned much more about this disorder and have developed medicines and treatments to ease or even eliminate their symptoms. Most schizophrenia patients live with friends, family, or supportive housing. A lot of people with schizophrenia live on their own with little to no issues.

you can never recover from schizophrenia:

This is fiction. Although there isn’t an exact cure for this illness, there are still many successful medicines and treatments that help ease or even eliminate their symptoms from this disorder. For many this disorder isn’t a life-sentence, but rather an obstacle.

people with schizophrenia cannot hold down a job:

This is fiction. Although this disorder does render some big challenges to those who have it, a lot are quite capable to maintain jobs. Some do have difficulty maintaining jobs because of their dealing with severe symptoms. With proper and persistent counseling and treatments, most symptoms over time will lessen in severity and allow those with the disorder to live fairly habitual lives.

people with schizophrenia have rapidly changing moods:

This is fiction. Symptoms of this disorder in terms of mood come and go at a relatively slow pace that resembles more of a waxing and waning process that can be over the course of months. It would be unusual for someone to have rapidly changing emotions that are caused solely by the disorder.