Schizophrenia: Different Causes, Symptoms and Treatment Methods Schizophrenia is a potentially debilitating condition that can affect you emotionally, mentally and physically. The condition has been the subject of many conversations, studies, as well as the minds of those who suffer from it and those who know someone who suffers from schizophrenia. One of the most debilitating conditions, schizophrenia, affects 1% of the US population, but it is also one of the most expensive conditions in the United States (Velligan, Alphs 24). Schizophrenia, an often misunderstood mental disorder, has a wide range of symptoms, causes and includes different forms of treatment depending on the individual. Schizophrenia has many different signs and symptoms that vary from person to person. In order to diagnose the condition, you must have at least two or more positive, negative, or disorganized symptoms (Durand, Barlow 474). The most well-known symptoms of schizophrenia are often described in the media when highlighting the condition; these are known positive symptoms. Positive symptoms are considered thoughts or perceptions too bizarre to be classified as normal thoughts by the general public (Comer 426). A positive symptom is delusions: Delusions occur when someone has a deeply held belief in something that is not true, or most members of society would believe that belief to be a false representation of reality (Durand, Barlow 474). This is not much of a guarantee for those who suffer from delusions, as people with schizophrenia honestly believe that their false perceptions are actually true (Comer 427). Persecutory delusions are particularly common. These delusions often lead schizophrenics to believe that ... middle of paper ... coping methods for dealing with the symptoms of schizophrenia. CBT therapists seek to educate, challenge, and find coping techniques to deal with hallucinations (Comer 460-461). Unfortunately, the risk of relapse among individuals with schizophrenia is high. It is very important that those suffering stick to a treatment regiment, as going off medications is a sure-fire way to trigger a psychotic episode. Even patients who have been on long-term medications and suddenly stop them are at risk of psychotic relapse (Emsley, et al. 1-3). Schizophrenia is a lifelong, chronic condition that can worsen every aspect of a person's life if they do not receive adequate treatment. With more education about schizophrenia and resources available for treating the condition, more people will be aware of the signs and symptoms to help themselves and their loved ones overcome this difficult condition..