What is Schizophrenia

Unlike other psychology term it is very rare that we encounter the word schizophrenia, in some research though 1.5% of the population are suffering from it.  As complicated as the word itself schizophrenia remains one of the most mysterious afflictions.  Still, I'll try my best to explain it in a simple, easy to understand manner.  schizophrenia is a combined term in Greek which is schizo- meaning to split and phren- meaning mind so in a literal, we can translate schizophrenia as "the split of mind".  But then this is different from the split personality disorder.  The "split" in schizophrenia stands for a high degree of disorganization of the mind, the discord that is apparent from the perspective of mentally normal individuals.  That disorganization can manifest itself in illogical and highly complex thinking, delusions and even auditory and visual hallucinations. 

Schizophrenia is divided in 5 types, each a bit different from the other.      

1. Paranoid-type schizophrenia is characterized by delusions and auditory hallucinations but relatively normal intellectual functioning and expression of affect. The delusions can often be about being persecuted unfairly or being some other person who is famous. People with paranoid-type schizophrenia can exhibit anger, aloofness, anxiety, and argumentativeness. 
2. Disorganized-type schizophrenia is characterized by speech and behavior that are disorganized or difficult to understand, and flattening or inappropriate emotions. People with disorganized-type schizophrenia may laugh at the changing color of a traffic light or at something not closely related to what they are saying or doing. Their disorganized behavior may disrupt normal activities, such as showering, dressing, and preparing meals.
3. Catatonic-type schizophrenia is characterized by disturbances of movement. People with catatonic-type schizophrenia may keep themselves completely immobile or move all over the place. They may not say anything for hours, or they may repeat anything you say or do senselessly. Either way, the behavior is putting these people at high risk because it impairs their ability to take care of themselves.
4. Undifferentiated-type schizophrenia is characterized by some symptoms seen in all of the above types but not enough of any one of them to define it as another particular type of schizophrenia.
5. Residual-type schizophrenia is characterized by a past history of at least one episode of schizophrenia, but the person currently has no positive symptoms (delusions, hallucinations, disorganized speech or behavior). It may represent a transition between a full-blown episode and complete remission, or it may continue for years without any further psychotic episodes.