For those familiar with Schizophrenia, what do you think of the public perception of this illness?

I think that the majority of people do not have a correct perception on people who are diagnosed as schizophrenic. Some of the public automatically assume they are "crazy", "afraid of" "weird" or "off" and those are only some of the bad references I have overheard. Some who are diagnosed go onto function very well in life and can live on their own with little to no supervision. The public is in the dark about a lot of mental illnesses though and although more attempts are being made to educate the general public NOT nearly enough is being done and NOT nearly enough people care to get educated before even trying to "judge" or make a perception of what has been pertrayed in a movie (persay). Most of the public do not look for facts so as to look for the first onset of signs so as to get relatives the help they need when first showing signs of this illness and others for that matter. I have a cousin who was diagnosed as schizophenic about 16 years ago. I was much younger and did not understand. Most of my family do not care about getting him serious help. I have learned so much and HE has taught me so much. I am determined to get him whatever help I can and that he needs!
As for the _only_solorose I am astounded that you are an RN. No, actually I am not but it is sad and it is a prime example of what is wrong with our mental health system. You take a question about asking the publics view and direct it towards what is now known as dissociate identity disorder and then make it a negative by saying the public views it "sadly". Yes, it used to be known as multiple personality disorder but there is nothing wrong with that "disorder" either.
What is most important for the people to understand any mental illness better, including schizophrenic better is education, education, education and so far no one has been willing to spend the money on that yet. Things have changed I can only hope things will change for everyone to understand. Our mental health system is definitely lacking......we are the only ones who can make changes and/or educate ourselves to better understand and help others. Source(s): personal experience with cousin is diagnosed as schizophrenic and I have depression, anxiety and DID

sadly, I think the general public percieves schizophrenia as having multiple personalities, and of course this is not true. I also think that the myths out there about this mental disorder are doing alot of harm.
RN
As with many mental illnesses, the public perception of schizophrenia is usually a wrong one because of ignorance. Most schizophrenics never cause any harm to other people, yet the public perception is a section of society with a condition which makes them dangerous and scary.
I think most people view schizophrenia as the most serious mental illness. The media is largely responsible for this - movies portray schizophrenics as people who are completely out of touch with reality. More public education is needed about this very debilitating condition.
I have a brother-in-law with this illness. He is living in a nursing home, with relatively no hope of ever living on his own again. Even though he is medicated, he does not remember even his closest family members--and when checked in, he did not even know his own name.

Early in his illness, he was able to work for years at AT&T while taking medication. I think it got much worse after his parents died--he was not accustomed to doing very much on his own (other than his job at work).

I think that the public thinks that everyone who has this is quite uncurable. uncontrollable, and belongs in the mental ward of a hospital. This might be true of some, but many live on their own and live successful lives--even if with medication.