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 [](https://my.clevelandclinic.org/) # Living With Schizophrenia Schizophrenia causes symptoms in three phases: onset, active and residual. Symptoms will develop and affect your mental and physical health. Your symptoms might come and go for the rest of your life. Consistent treatment is the best way to manage them. **Video content:** This video is available to watch online. View video online (https://cdnapisec.kaltura.com/p/2207941/sp/220794100/playManifest/entryId/1\_rd06rkwa/flavorId/1\_5f3sgelj/format/url/protocol/https/a.mp4) Schizophrenia can affect every part of your life. It can make you experience things that aren’t real, which can make [recognizing symptoms](https://health.clevelandclinic.org/early-signs-of-schizophrenia) harder. But treatments can help. Advertisement Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. [Policy](https://health.clevelandclinic.org/advertising) ## Understanding schizophrenia Schizophrenia can be scary. It affects your thoughts, emotions, [memory](https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/memory) and behavior. This can damage your relationships and make you doubt yourself and others around you. But you’re still you, no matter what. Schizophrenia usually happens in three phases. It starts to cause symptoms, they gradually affect your life more and then improve after you start treatment. It may be hard to recognize symptoms in yourself. Try to trust friends or loved ones who express concern or share what they’re seeing. You may experience some or all of the five most common symptoms. ### Delusions These are things you may believe, even if there’s plenty of proof that they’re not true. Sometimes, these beliefs can make you feel suspicious or paranoid. ### Hallucinations [Hallucinations](https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/symptoms/23350-hallucinations) are things you see, hear, feel or sense that aren’t there. You might hear voices or think people or characters are telling you to do things. ### Trouble speaking It might be hard to organize your thoughts or communicate with others. Your thoughts may feel jumbled or it might be hard to speak the way you want to. Sometimes, it might sound like you’re talking with no emotion or feeling. ### Disorganized movement You might physically move your body in unusual ways. This might mean making repetitive movements or staying still for an unusually long time. ### Negative symptoms These are symptoms that make it hard or impossible for you to do daily activities. It may feel pointless to participate in your typical routine, like you’ve lost motivation to do anything. You may have [depression](https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/9290-depression) or experience [suicidal](https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/suicide) thoughts. ## Treating schizophrenia Your healthcare providers will suggest a combination of medications and therapy techniques to treat schizophrenia. Your care team will work with you to make sure [you’re safe and feel confident managing the symptoms](https://health.clevelandclinic.org/living-with-schizophrenia). Advertisement Managing schizophrenia is a lifelong process. Don’t be afraid to ask your healthcare provider lots of questions. They’re there to help you learn what works best for you. ### Medications You’ll probably need [antipsychotic](https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/24692-antipsychotic-medications) medications. There are lots of options that can help you manage symptoms and feel more in control of your thoughts and actions. ### Therapy Talking to a mental health professional for [cognitive behavioral therapy](https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/21208-cognitive-behavioral-therapy-cbt) can help you process your experiences. It can also help you manage other issues like depression and increased [anxiety](https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/9536-anxiety-disorders). Share any feelings you have with your therapist. They won’t judge you. They’re there to help. ### Other treatments Your provider might suggest [electroconvulsive therapy](https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/9302-ect-electroconvulsive-therapy) (ECT). This stimulates your brain with safe, controlled bursts of electricity to improve your brain function. Advertisement ### Related Content [](https://health.clevelandclinic.org/schizophrenia-natural-treatment) August 8, 2024/[Mental Health](https://health.clevelandclinic.org/health-conditions/mental-health) ##### [These Natural Treatments May Help With Your Schizophrenia Symptoms](https://health.clevelandclinic.org/schizophrenia-natural-treatment) https://health.clevelandclinic.org/schizophrenia-natural-treatment Certain B vitamins, omega-3 fatty acids and a healthy diet can serve as complementary treatments for schizophrenia [](https://health.clevelandclinic.org/living-with-schizophrenia) July 29, 2024/[Brain & Nervous System](https://health.clevelandclinic.org/health-conditions/brain-nervous-system) ##### [Living With Schizophrenia: Strategies and Self-Help](https://health.clevelandclinic.org/living-with-schizophrenia) https://health.clevelandclinic.org/living-with-schizophrenia Following your treatment plan, finding a community, staying active and maintaining a healthy diet can help manage this psychiatric condition [](https://health.clevelandclinic.org/early-signs-of-schizophrenia) July 28, 2023/[Mental Health](https://health.clevelandclinic.org/health-conditions/mental-health) ##### [8 Early Signs of Schizophrenia](https://health.clevelandclinic.org/early-signs-of-schizophrenia) https://health.clevelandclinic.org/early-signs-of-schizophrenia Emotional changes, isolation and unusual behavior could signal the onset of the condition [](https://health.clevelandclinic.org/schizoaffective-disorder-vs-schizophrenia) July 17, 2023/[Mental Health](https://health.clevelandclinic.org/health-conditions/mental-health) ##### [Schizophrenia vs. Schizoaffective Disorder: What’s the Difference?](https://health.clevelandclinic.org/schizoaffective-disorder-vs-schizophrenia) https://health.clevelandclinic.org/schizoaffective-disorder-vs-schizophrenia People with schizoaffective disorder have additional mood symptoms [](https://health.clevelandclinic.org/types-of-schizophrenia) July 28, 2022/[Mental Health](https://health.clevelandclinic.org/health-conditions/mental-health) ##### [What Are the 6 Types of Schizophrenia and How Do They Affect You?](https://health.clevelandclinic.org/types-of-schizophrenia) https://health.clevelandclinic.org/types-of-schizophrenia The mental health disorder includes a spectrum of conditions [](https://health.clevelandclinic.org/how-many-calories-in-a-pound) April 3, 2026/[Weight Loss](https://health.clevelandclinic.org/diet-food-fitness/weight-loss) ##### [Counting the Number of Calories in a Pound of Fat](https://health.clevelandclinic.org/how-many-calories-in-a-pound) https://health.clevelandclinic.org/how-many-calories-in-a-pound Some still turn to a 500-calorie deficit to lose weight, but that approach isn’t always effective or healthy [Find a ProviderNeed a primary care doctor or a specialist? 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## Living With Schizophrenia Schizophrenia causes symptoms in three phases: onset, active and residual. Symptoms will develop and affect your mental and physical health. Your symptoms might come and go for the rest of your life. Consistent treatment is the best way to manage them. Schizophrenia can affect every part of your life. It can make you experience things that aren’t real, which can make [recognizing symptoms](https://health.clevelandclinic.org/early-signs-of-schizophrenia) harder. But treatments can help. ## Understanding schizophrenia Schizophrenia can be scary. It affects your thoughts, emotions, [memory](https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/memory) and behavior. This can damage your relationships and make you doubt yourself and others around you. But you’re still you, no matter what. Schizophrenia usually happens in three phases. It starts to cause symptoms, they gradually affect your life more and then improve after you start treatment. It may be hard to recognize symptoms in yourself. Try to trust friends or loved ones who express concern or share what they’re seeing. You may experience some or all of the five most common symptoms. ### Delusions These are things you may believe, even if there’s plenty of proof that they’re not true. Sometimes, these beliefs can make you feel suspicious or paranoid. ### Hallucinations [Hallucinations](https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/symptoms/23350-hallucinations) are things you see, hear, feel or sense that aren’t there. You might hear voices or think people or characters are telling you to do things. ### Trouble speaking It might be hard to organize your thoughts or communicate with others. Your thoughts may feel jumbled or it might be hard to speak the way you want to. Sometimes, it might sound like you’re talking with no emotion or feeling. ### Disorganized movement You might physically move your body in unusual ways. This might mean making repetitive movements or staying still for an unusually long time. ### Negative symptoms These are symptoms that make it hard or impossible for you to do daily activities. It may feel pointless to participate in your typical routine, like you’ve lost motivation to do anything. You may have [depression](https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/9290-depression) or experience [suicidal](https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/suicide) thoughts. ## Treating schizophrenia Your healthcare providers will suggest a combination of medications and therapy techniques to treat schizophrenia. Your care team will work with you to make sure [you’re safe and feel confident managing the symptoms](https://health.clevelandclinic.org/living-with-schizophrenia). Managing schizophrenia is a lifelong process. Don’t be afraid to ask your healthcare provider lots of questions. They’re there to help you learn what works best for you. ### Medications You’ll probably need [antipsychotic](https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/24692-antipsychotic-medications) medications. There are lots of options that can help you manage symptoms and feel more in control of your thoughts and actions. ### Therapy Talking to a mental health professional for [cognitive behavioral therapy](https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/21208-cognitive-behavioral-therapy-cbt) can help you process your experiences. It can also help you manage other issues like depression and increased [anxiety](https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/9536-anxiety-disorders). Share any feelings you have with your therapist. They won’t judge you. They’re there to help. ### Other treatments Your provider might suggest [electroconvulsive therapy](https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/9302-ect-electroconvulsive-therapy) (ECT). This stimulates your brain with safe, controlled bursts of electricity to improve your brain function. ### Related Content ##### [8 Early Signs of Schizophrenia](https://health.clevelandclinic.org/early-signs-of-schizophrenia) https://health.clevelandclinic.org/early-signs-of-schizophrenia Emotional changes, isolation and unusual behavior could signal the onset of the condition