Schizophrenia - It's Not What You Think: Living Beyond Schizophrenia - a True Story of Overcoming Life's Challenges Through God's Grace (Paperback) (ISBN-13: 9781664156968)

This book is about the author's personal experience living with paranoia schizophrenia his entire life and how his strong faith in God helped him endure. The story tries to relate his experiences to you the reader who may have a similar mental illness and may need encouragement in carrying out your life to the best of your ability.
Mental illness is a very real illness. The general population downplays it sometimes as a character defect in the individual. Research about the cause of mental illness points to a biological or genetic predisposition which could be inherited. For myself I believe it was inherited. I will get into my beliefs on that later on. The environment can also be a factor for some people who develop mental illness.
Schizophrenia is a serious mental illness that originates from malfunctioning signals from the brain that effect ones thought processes & behavior. Just because you are diagnosed later in life doesn't mean you were not born with the illness. The illness has a broad effect on a person's everyday functioning such as going to school, working, hygiene or social relationships. Once diagnosed with schizophrenia a person is effected usually in a negative manner. Their lives change dramatically. Their ability to carry on a normal routine becomes limited motivation is many times effected because of the side effects of the medication which they are taking. A person may feel tired & listless much of the time. Medication helps with the delusions and hallucinations that exist in an acute episode but can also slow a person down. Outside supports from family & friends can be a huge asset to someone with schizophrenia, exercise (if you can do it), meditation (relaxation techniques), a strong relationship with God, & a stable & secure living environment all can help in coping with the illness as well. Mental health professionals also can be a huge asset & wanting to get help by the person is definitely necessary.