2. Schizophrenia is a lifelong brain disorder in which individuals have trouble distinguishing real and unreal experiences, concentrating, socializing and thinking logically. Overall it puts a person who suffers from this disorder at a loss with reality.

3.  About 1% of the American population  Men around late teens and early 20’s  Women around mid-20’s early 30’s  Childhood on-sets usually begin at 5 years of age

5. Constant struggle with day to day activities Inability to concentrate Has a tendency to get lost in their own thoughts Fear that the world is out to get them in some way or another Lack of ability to begin and sustain planned activities

6. Difficulty keeping friends and work Suffers from anxiety, depression, and suicidal thoughts or behaviors Constant feeling of being tense Likes to stay isolated from others Bizarre behaviors

7. Tendency to talk in a “garbled way” Suffers from “thought blocking” when conversation with others Talks to others with nonexistent words, making it hard on people to follow Speaking little, even when forced to interact

8. Agitated body movements Repetition of certain movements continuously Depending on the type of Schizophrenic disorder some may enter a catatonic state

9. Lack of emotions Delusions Hallucinations Poor “executive functioning” Trouble focusing and paying attention Problems with “working memory” Causes great emotional stress Disorganized thinking Trouble organizing or connecting his or her thoughts logically

11. 1.Medication antipsychotics Clozapine 2.Hospitalization 3.Support programs & therapy Social skills training Job training Relationship building classes

12. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhe alth/PMH0001925/ http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/sc hizophrenia/index.shtml http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/schiz ophrenia.html McGuire, Patrick A., New Hope for People with Schizophrenia, 4 th Edition, Feb. 2000