In this part
We kick things off by giving you an overview of schizophrenia — a no-fault, equal-opportunity disease of the brain that strikes teenagers and young adults in the prime of their lives. Here we dispel some of the myths and misunderstandings associated with the disorder, which have led to unnecessary blame and social stigma. We also show you how to recognize the early warning signs of the disease, outline its risk factors, and cover the range of symptoms and behaviors that characterize schizophrenia. Finally, we tell you how doctors are able to differentiate schizophrenia from other mental disorders with seemingly overlapping symptoms, and discuss the fact that — although treatments have vastly improved the lives of people with schizophrenia and their families — much more remains to be learned.
