What it’s like to have schizophrenia

• Hallucinations: These are sensory experiences that don’t exist in reality. They can be visual, auditory, tactile, olfactory, or gustatory. For example, a person might hear voices that aren’t there or see things that aren’t real.
• Delusions: These are false beliefs that are firmly held, despite evidence to the contrary. They can be persecutory (believing one is being followed or watched), grandiose (believing one has special powers or abilities), or referential (believing that others are sending secret messages or talking about them).
• Disorganized thinking and speech: This can manifest as difficulty staying on topic, jumping from one thought to another, or using made-up words or phrases.
• Disorganized behavior: This can include problems with daily living activities, such as grooming, dressing, or maintaining a job.
• Negative symptoms: These are a loss of normal functions, such as decreased motivation, reduced emotional expression, and social withdrawal.

It’s important to remember that these are just some of the possible symptoms of schizophrenia. The experience can be highly individualized, and it’s essential to seek professional help if you or someone you know is experiencing these symptoms.