Is it common for schizophrenia sufferers to deny that they are ill?

Yeah, really common. Its one of the symptoms of schizophrenia that make it difficult to treat - the different meds that are used for schizophrenia are really effective but as the person may lack insight and feel that they are not ill they commonly do not take prescribed meds resulting in relapse and a vicious circle of hospital admissions - community treatment - relapse etc.

Symptoms of schizophrenia such as hallucinations, delusions etc, to that person seem very real so for someone to tell them they have to accept treatment because they are ill can be very difficult and frustrating.

Hence the need for the Mental Health care and treatment act which allows patients to be detained for their own wellbeing.

It's common for virtually all mental health patients to deny they have a problem, I conmpletely lost the plot about a year ago and was subsequently diagnosed with Cyclothymia in the form of mixed affective state (mild form of bipolar affective disorder). At the time I thought I was more or less ok just not sleeping too good.

Yes, it is very common esp b/c of the meds that are given to treat it. (They have awful side effects & often don't treat the disorder fully.) Here's a great link if you want to research it:
http://www.webmd.com/search/search_resul...

Yes, this is one of the most common symptoms.

Sufferers believe that they are normal and everyone around them has a problem. They are also likely to use this as ammo if you try and confront them about it. They will say that they are being targetted or picked on.

Scary illness that is not talked about enough.

Many schizophrenics seem to hold fixed irrational ideas that they will not let go of. If confronted they claim that the devil is deceiving other people when they are the ones being unrealistic.

I think people are afraid to admit that they suffer from any mental illness.they are afraid to loose friends or that people will start treating them differently.

I know 2 people with schizophrenia & they both believe that they are fine, so yes i suppose it is common.

Yes, very common.

Yes.

I think its common for most mental illnesses

yeah they believe they are"normal"

yes since it all seems real to them