If a person who has schizophrenia is aware of the disease and aware that all their actions are not normal...?

can it still be called schizophrenia? I mean isn't the person supposed to not be aware of the condition?

Let's take a mild case of schizophrenia for example. I know that in general this mental illness is supposed to imply hearing voices, having hallucinations and such. Well the person I'm talking abut has no visual nor hearing hallucinations. She only has a great tendency for fantasizing and day dreaming. She basically lives in her own dream land and stories and likes to create the perfect life for herself in her own mind. But she is perfectly aware of her actions, has no hallucinations and is aware of how far her imagination can go. She has withdrawn from her society life and since then she's sort of been thinking about her stories and living in then, they seem to motivate her. I actually do understand her, but in this case could it be called a mild form o schizophrenia? How could I help her?

You know, there is always a possibility that she is misdiagnosed; but the name given to her problem is just to give it a name so she can get mental health services. All mental illnesses present themselves differently in different people. I would ask, does she know in the exact moment of fantasizing, the difference between fantasy and reality? Schizoid behavior can be fantasies gone too far, this would be considered delusional. And, most Schizophrenics are aware of the condition, especially if they are seeking treatment because they are taught the signs of a schizoid "attack"(for lack of a better word), or what to look for as to keep themselves and others safe.
My concerns would be what her fantasies are and if they are safe. If they are good and safe fantasies that are attainable than I'd say let her live them (if you mean she actually will do them not just revel in them), otherwise you need to get her professional help in order to deter her from doing something unhealthy. My experience with schizophrenics (is limited but have worked with a few) is that they tend to not engage in outpatient services because they are resistant to changing their behavior, and outpatient services are served on a voluntary basis. Or they 'feel better', stop their services, and fall back into old patterns eventually. They tend to be addicted to their behavior. So I would say the best thing you could do for her is to encourage professional intervention. And as far as what you can do personally, when she is fantasizing try to not engage with her fantasy. Talk with her about reality based topics and if she wanders redirect the conversation back to realistic things.
There is no actual diagnosis of mild Schizophrenia but there are a few different sub categories such as Paranoid Type, Disorganized Type, Catatonic Type, Undifferentiated Type, and Residual Type. And there is also related diagnosis like Schizoaffective Disorder, Delusional Disorder, and Psychotic Disorder.
I hope this helps you and your friend. Source(s): Mental Health Social Worker

It would be schizophrenia if the relationships with reality are cut off. There are not always hallucinatoins, there may be other signs present. You can be of help by persuading her to visit a psychiatrist or a clinical psychologist and her condition checked out.
My medical studies and practice
That's not schizophrenia. Someone was misdiagnosed. That's multiple personality disorder. Let me make myself more clear.

Multiple Personality Disorder (MPD) is where there is more than one person or personality. A person usually does not know when they change personalities, but with medication it may be able to be noticed by the person.

Schizophrenia is where you are paranoid. You see things and 'understand' things that are not real. You hear things that are not there. You always think someone is talking about you or after you.

As goes helping someone: unless you are a doctor. You can't. The only thing you can do, is not give in to the psychosis. Tell them what is real.
It's probably some degree of schizophrenia. Basically that's living in a fantasy (good or bad) world instead of reality.

I don't know where the mental health professionals put it when she knows it's not real but chooses to live there instead of reality.

Be a real friend and drag her (if necessary) for a mental health exam.
A person who is aware of their actions can still be diagnosed as having schizophrenia. I am a mental health professional and have a number of clients who are very aware that their symptoms are part of a brain disorder. I also have other clients who are not at all aware. These different people could be said to be at different stages of their recovery, and different stages of their willingness to engage in treatment. Psychosis is any break with reality. This could be seeing things that are not there, hearing things others don't hear, having fixed beliefs that are delusional in nature (the classic is the FBI being out to get someone). It is possible that the person you are talking about has schizophrenia, it is also possible that she has a physical disorder that presents this way. It is also possible she has another psychiatric disorder with some symptoms that break from reality. It is also possible that there is nothing diagnosable wrong with her. First step would probably be encouraging her to see a doctor to rule out physical problems. That doctor could refer to a psychiatrist if needed. It could also be helpful to encourage her to talk with a good counselor.