Knowledge about any illness is a necessity. What you learn about schizophrenia will not always be pleasant, but the more knowledge you obtain, the more you will begin to understand the effects of schizophrenia and the resources available to you.

In many cases, symptoms of schizophrenia begin to show in a person's early 20s. Most medical professionals believe that the symptoms begin to show in a person's early 20s because there are major stresses during this phase of life. Some attend college and find themselves studying more than they ever thought they would and, at the same time, making decisions that will effect them the rest of their lives.

Unfortunately, there are those with mental illness who find themselves attempting to self-medicate through alcohol or non-prescription drugs. Often family members will become frustrated with the actions of their loved one, but will hope that the bizarre behavior is just another phase.

One of the best resources available to a lay person is the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill. Many states have their own chapters. You can find phone numbers and contacts at www.nami.org. This website will not only enlighten you regarding the definitions of schizophrenia or bipolar disease but also have the current medications available and a brief history of each mental illness. There are also support groups for the caregivers of the mentally ill listed on this website. In Texas, there is also an organization called Mental Health and Mental Retardation. This organization can often guide you to a group of specialists and can help with the cost of medicine and treatment. If you google, "MHMR in Texas", you will see numerous listings of this organization by county. Do not hesitate to use this resource, and be persistent if your first contact is not as helpful as you would like. If you are the caregiver of someone with a mental illness, do not give up trying to get help. If you are like most people, you may have several balls in the air, such as, taking the kids to soccer practice or trying to maintain your composure at your job; however, getting your loved one help is one ball that you cannot afford to drop.

If you know someone who is suffering from delusions or thinking someone is talking to them through hidden messages, particularly if those messages are telling them to hurt themselves or others, you must seek professional help immediately. This is not a disease that can be ignored. Treatment through medication

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