Are those suffering from schizophrenia more likely to commit violent crimes? It depends. Most people with schizophrenia though suffer quietly. The disease usually only makes headlines when bad things happen, skewing our perspectives of this sometimes unsettling mental illness that affects nearly one percent of Americans. It’s important to remember that appropriate medication in conjunction with psychotherapy can help patients with schizophrenia live more productive lives and lessen painful symptoms. The stigma of mental illness in general, and schizophrenia in particular, can be mitigated by education and public appearances by spokespeople with mental illness, such as Ann Kolsrud, of Iowa City, author of Almost Normal, who speaks openly about having schizophrenia.

Schizophrenia can manifest with a variety of symptoms. To learn more about schizophrenia, visit the National Institute of Mental Health web site. Also, check out Psych Central’s comprehensive schizophrenia reference pages.

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    Last reviewed: 7 Mar 2010