Schizophrenia is not the terrible, de-humanizing, death-sentence that it is portrayed as in popular culture. While living with this condition can be challenging, it is a neurodivergence, a part of who we are, and not something to be ashamed or afraid of. We are human too.

Schizophrenia is a neurodevelopmental disorder that is related in some ways to autism, and shares many behavioral traits. The basis of schizophrenia is hardwired into the central nervous system and endocrine system in early development.

The condition usually emerges early adulthood and can be brought forward by an environmental trigger (often trauma or chronic stress). Many of us, however, report symptoms much earlier. People assigned male are diagnosed slightly more often than people assigned female.

Antipsychotics are the main medication used to treat schizophrenia, but they do not 'cure' schizophrenia and do not treat all of the symptoms associated with the condition.

The symptoms of schizophrenia are divided into three categories: positive, negative, and neurocognitive. Positive symptoms are changes is behavior or thought, including hallucinations and delusions. Negative symptoms are symptoms of absence and loss of functioning.