paranoid thoughts, delusions, or hallucinations, which means that they hear or see things that are not there or believe things that are not true. They may think that their next-door neighbor is trying to spy on them or that radio stations are broadcasting their thoughts aloud to others. They may also see, smell or hear things that aren’t real, including voices in their heads.
To others, they might seem unemotional, and their speech may be flat, something that doctors call “flat affect.” Like people with major depression, they may be unable to enjoy things that should be fun or pleasurable.
Many people with schizophrenia are withdrawn and don’t make friends easily. Their thinking may also be muddled, making it difficult to pay attention, process complex ideas, remember things or organize their thoughts into clear speech.
Some people with schizophrenia may also have movement disorders, like muscle twitches, repetitive motions, or general clumsiness.
Depending on what type of schizophrenia a person has, some symptoms may be stronger than others. People with schizophrenia may be brilliant, like the Nobel prize-winning mathematician John Nash, but they still need treatment. People with paranoid schizophrenia, for example, may not have much trouble with their moods or thinking, but they are plagued by delusions and hallucinations.
People with disorganized schizophrenia may have delusions, but they tend to have