7 Myths About Schizophrenia You Should Stop Believing
Thanks to movies and pop culture, many people think they know all about schizophrenia. But most of what we “know” is actually based on misconceptions. Here are seven common myths about schizophrenia that you shouldn’t believe.
1. Schizophrenia Is the Same as Split Personality
Characters like Jack Nicholson’s in Kubrick’s “The Shining” or the Hulk—mild-mannered one moment, a raging monster the next—make it seem like schizophrenia is about having multiple personalities. But that’s not true. Schizophrenia is not split personality (which is actually called dissociative identity disorder and is a completely different condition). Schizophrenia is about a split in thinking and perception, not in identity.
People with schizophrenia feel like a single, whole person. However, they may believe things that aren’t true, like thinking aliens reprogram their brain at night or that their caring relatives are secretly poisoning them. Their logical connections are disrupted, so contradictory ideas can coexist in their minds.
2. People with Schizophrenia Are Violent and Dangerous
This stereotype is also thanks to mass media. In reality, most people with schizophrenia are indecisive and passive. Because of their disrupted thinking, it’s hard for them to even plan out aggressive actions.
Like anyone, people with schizophrenia can have unpredictable outbursts or episodes of anger, but these are usually brief and often linked to other issues, such as substance abuse or deep psychological trauma, rather than the illness itself.
3. Schizophrenia Can Be Caused by Severe Stress
Not exactly. Schizophrenia is a mental disorder that develops due to a combination of factors, including:
- Genetic predisposition
- Exposure to viruses
- Individual brain characteristics and developmental issues
- Poor prenatal nutrition
- Complications during birth
- Psychosocial factors
Bad experiences in childhood or stress in adulthood alone do not cause schizophrenia. Only those who are predisposed to the illness can develop it.
4. Schizophrenia Is Always Inherited
Genetics do play a role, but scientists haven’t figured out exactly how. Schizophrenia can run in families, but it’s not a strict rule. Sometimes, someone with no family history of mental illness is diagnosed, while others with many affected relatives never develop it.
Researchers believe there are certain genes and gene combinations that, under specific conditions, can increase the risk of schizophrenia. However, there is no single gene that directly causes the disorder.
5. People with Schizophrenia Are Less Intelligent
People with schizophrenia may have issues with logic, concentration, and memory, so their IQ can sometimes (but not always) be lower. But intelligence isn’t just about rational thinking. There are many types of intelligence, and people with schizophrenia can be highly talented in other areas.
For example, Nobel Prize-winning mathematician and economist John Forbes Nash, legendary dancer and choreographer Vaslav Nijinsky, artist Vincent van Gogh, and science fiction writer Philip K. Dick (whose books inspired movies like “Blade Runner” and “Total Recall”) all had schizophrenia. Their diagnosis didn’t stop them from making major contributions to science and culture.
6. People with Schizophrenia Are Lazy and Unkempt
Some people with schizophrenia do struggle with self-care, like maintaining hygiene or choosing appropriate clothing. But this doesn’t mean they’re lazy. They may just need help with things that seem routine to others.
7. Schizophrenia Can’t Be Treated
It’s true that there’s no cure for schizophrenia yet. However, there are effective therapeutic and medical treatments that can help manage the condition.
According to WebMD, with proper and timely treatment, about 25% of people diagnosed with schizophrenia fully recover. Another 50% see significant improvement in their symptoms, allowing them to live normal, productive lives.