Schizophrenia is associatied with an impaired perception of reality,  auditiory hallucinations, delusions, and  difficulties with speech and thought processes.  Patients with schizophrenia may be so confused by their symptoms that they are unable to tell what is real and what is fantasy. For instance, when serial killer David Berkowitz, who was diagnosed with schizophrenia, saw black dogs barking out orders to kill, he believed they were actually there.

Many schizophrenics keep their voices and thoughts to themselves, for fear of being labeled "crazy." Another schizophrenic, Janice Jordan, was unable to tell her counselors about a delusional figure known as "The Controller" who barked orders at her during psychotic episodes

Current research into the biochemical causes of schizophrenia suggest that the mental illness is largely caused by a neuro-chemical imbalance of dopamine, seratonin and norepenephrine, which are the major chemical neurotransmitters located throughout the brain. In a normal brain, the frontal lobe increases its blood flow and the "listening" part of the brain diminishes. PET scans reveal that in a schizophrenic brain, the frontal lobe is active but the "listening" part remains just as active. This  sensory overload  is believed to contribute to the symptoms of  hallucinations.  People who are born abnormalities in the auditory portions of their brain, generally have irregular brain cell patterns. Illicit drug use and stress do not cause schizophrenia, but they can certainly exacerbate the symptoms. In some cases, family members who understand very little can agitate the symptoms by using an accusing tone of voice or reacting angrily to the patient who has schizophrenia.

Family members of a patient with schizophrenia can learn to recognize symptoms of an acute attack: a change in personality, social withdrawal, sleeplessness, agitation, using words that do not make sense and visual hallucinatins.  It is important for the family of a schizophrenic patient to maintain a peaceful and supportive environment at home. This may helpthe schizophrenic  patient set realistic goals, sharing tasks, gradually increasing independence and encouraging new hobbies can all provide schizophrenia support.

There are many misperceptions about schizophrenia. One is that schizophrenia is the same as multiple personality disorder (MPD), which is not true. MPD is often characterized by two or more separate and distinct "personalities" which sometimes go by different names, display different mannerisms and have entire lists of unique likes and dislikes.  In  contrast, schizophrenics exhibit different behavior, as well as suffer delusions and hallucinations. However, they maintain a basic sense of self, afflicted by mood swings and fragmented thinking.  Patients with schizophrenia are usually passive and peaceful, and are not prone to violent outbursts.

The only real danger for patients with schizophrenia is harming themselves.  Public awareness and education of mental illness may help earlier detection of an illness such as schizophrenia, and hopefully with prompt medical attention, therapy, and appropriate medications, longterm recovery may be more effective.