CNN (9/2, Rogers ) reports that “schizophrenia is simultaneously one of the most famous mental illnesses and one of the most misunderstood.” According to the APA, schizophrenia “is a chronic brain disorder often marked by psychosis, delusions, hallucinations, lack of motivation, and disorganized thinking and speech” that affects “0.32% of the global population, or around 24 million people.” The belief that “schizophrenia means a split mind has contributed to a widespread belief in more formal contexts that the condition is like dissociative identity disorder.”
Such misconceptions explain why schizophrenia is one of the most heavily stigmatized mental health disorders. Some stereotypes “are based in true symptoms that some patients experience,” but researchers believe “they aren’t reflective of all patients and can prevent a holistic, compassionate view of schizophrenia as a treatable disorder that’s usually more harmful to the patient than to others.” Some experts also support “changing the name of this chronic brain disorder.”
Related Links:
— “Why schizophrenia may be ‘the most devastating of mental illnesses’,” Kristen Rogers, CNN, September 2, 2025