What is schizophrenia?
It’s a mental disorder that most often hits people in their teens and early 20s, making it hard for them to distinguish what’s real from what’s imagined. Thinking clearly, handling emotions, and dealing with other people may also become tough for them. Symptoms can be helped with psychiatric care and medication, but so far there’s no cure.
No one knows just what causes schizophrenia.But it’s not due to bad parenting or personal weakness, like many people think.
Could I get it?
The disease isn’t contagious, but it’s sometimes hereditary. If one of your parents or siblings has schizophrenia, you have about a 10 percent chance of developing it.
And if someone I love has it?
• Find support. Lots of hospitals offer groups where you can talk to others in the same situation.
• Open up. It’s totally normal for you to sometimes feel worried, frightened, sad, or angry. Unburden yourself to a trusted friend or parent. Remember, your feelings are important, too.
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