Contrary to what many people believe, schizophrenia isn’t about having a “split personality.” However, it’s a serious mental illness that affects about 1% of Canadians.

The most common symptoms include mixed-up thoughts, delusions, hallucinations, and bizarre behaviour. Some people have just one episode of these symptoms in their lives; others have difficulty functioning daily because their symptoms are so frequent.

Antipsychotic medications are the main treatment for schizophrenia, including counseling programs that help people manage the symptoms.