08/07/2025
MYTHS ABOUT SCHIZOPHRENIA
( A THREAD)
Schizophrenia is a Mental health disorder that affects a person’sthoughts, emotions, and behavior. People with this condition often seem to have lost touch with reality.
Schizophrenia might be debilitating but it’s most certainly treatable and many people living with this condition can live meaningful and fulfilling lives with the right treatment and support.
THREAD: 7 Myths and Misconceptions about Schizophrenia (That Need to Go!)
1. Myth: Schizophrenia = Split Personality
False.
People often confuse schizophrenia with dissociative identity disorder (DID), but they are not the same.
Schizophrenia involves distorted thinking, hallucinations, and delusions and not multiple personalities.
2. Myth: People with schizophrenia are violent individuals
False.
The majority of people living with schizophrenia are not violent.
They’re more at risk of being victims of abuse and neglect most especially in places where mental illness is seen as taboo.
Stigma like this only isolates and harms them.
3. Myth: Schizophrenia is caused by bad parenting
False.
Schizophrenia is a complex brain disorder with multiple contributing factors mostly linked to genetics, brain chemistry, and even sometimes trauma and not parenting style.
4. Myth: People with schizophrenia can’t live normal lives
False.
With proper treatment, support, and understanding, many individuals live fulfilling lives such as going to school, work, maintain relationships, and thrive.
5. Myth: Medication is the only treatment
False.
Medication is important, but therapy, community support, healthy routines, and rehabilitation programs also play huge roles in recovery.
6. Myth: Schizophrenia is rare and a spiritual matter
False, It’s actually not that rare.
About 1 in 100 people will be diagnosed with schizophrenia in their lifetime.
You probably know someone affected by it, whether you realize it or not and no, schizophrenia is not a spiritual attack, nor is it caused by witchcraft.
It’s a complex mental health disorder that affects the brain.
7. Myth: People with schizophrenia can’t understand reality at all
False. That’s a harmful generalization.
Symptoms come and go. Many individuals experience lucid moments and awareness most especially when supported.
In conclusion, Schizophrenia is not a character flaw or something to be feared.
It’s a health condition that deserves empathy, treatment, and understanding.
Let’s fight stigma with facts.
