During my public speaking about schizophrenia to groups of young people, I have discovered that teens that suffer from schizophrenia don’t want to make a big deal out of it. This is very significant since the onset of the illness occurs in the teens. Older survivors of the illness on the other hand have had a long and hard struggle in all aspects of their lives and tend to identify with it.

This difference in attitude can attributed to the tremendous progress that has been made in just a few decades. There has been progress made in the treatment of the illness, and a significant change in the public’s attitude towards the illness.

In older people, the onset of the illness in their teens almost always involved at least one hospital stay, usually against their will, and the stigma of the illness often made it impossible to return to their old lives afterwards.

Through public education, the stigma has been decreased. Although stigma is still a serious problem, most intelligent people now understand the facts about the illness and approach it with an open mind.

When older people were first diagnosed the medications available at the time were only marginally effective and often caused any number of terrible side effects. In contrast, the medications that are available now have improved to the point where, if taken as prescribed, they can make a significant difference in a persons life.

Hospitalization as teenager is no longer necessary now, as family doctors, teachers, family and friends can recognize the warning signs early before the symptoms become serious and refer the individual to a psychiatrist, who can prescribe medication and provide counseling without disrupting the persons life or taking them away from their school, their family or their social lives.

Schizophrenia is now known to be a genetic brain condition that can be treated by medication. Thanks to the progress that has been made, it is no longer such a frightening condition. They need medication just like diabetic needs insulin. Neither condition has to destroy a person’s life. Once treated, younger generations will be free to get on with their lives.