Schizophrenia means “split mind”. It is not only a multiple personality split, but to a split from reality that can be shown in disorganized thinking, disturbed perceptions, and inappropriate emotions and actions.

-The thinking of a schizophrenic is fragmented, bizarre, and plagued by false beliefs, called delusions.

-They quickly jump from one idea to the other, bunching it all together.

-Those with paranoid tendencies are prone to delusions of persecution.

-May also perceive things that aren't actually there, called hallucinations.

-The person may hear voices that insult them or give them orders. The voice is usually telling them to do harmful things to themselves or others.

-The person may do compulsive acts such as rubbing an arm, and not even remember they were doing it.

-The emotions of the person are completely inappropriate for the situations they experience.

-For example, a person may laugh when recalling someone's funeral or cry or get angry when others are hysterically laughing.

-Others might sometimes fall into the “flat affect”, which is a zombielike state of apparent apathy.

-Multiple factors come together in order to create schizophrenia.Brain abnormalities are the most common factor, with enlarged, fluid filled cerebral cavities or increased receptors of dopamine.

-Studies also point to genetic predisposition, along with environmental factors.