All People with Schizophrenia are Violent?

Before going to today’s topic, we need to know what Schizophrenia is. US’ National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) defines the ailment as, “a chronic and severe mental disorder that affects how a person thinks, feels and behaves. People with schizophrenia may seem like they have lost touch with reality. Although schizophrenia is not as common as other mental disorders, the symptoms can be very disabling.” Eminent Psychiatrist Dr. Devendra Save replies to the question – all people with schizophrenia are violent?

All People with Schizophrenia are Violent?

Dr. Save clarifies, “This is one of the biggest misunderstandings about schizophrenia. Research says, people think that the condition involves a split personality, which means someone acts like they’re two separate people. A person with schizophrenia doesn’t have two different personalities. Instead, he/she has false ideas, may feel suspicious as if people are plotting against them, hear voices, may have thoughts of people harming them or lose touch with reality. Even though people with schizophrenia can act unpredictably at times; most aren’t violent, especially if they’re getting treated. Even if you look at last year’s newspapers, how many times have you seen violent acts being committed by a person suffering from schizophrenia?”

Photo courtesy

Photo by Engin Akyurt from Pexels and Dr. Devendra Save