Schizophrenia is considered one of the most common mental illnesses in the world. Although it is a common condition, research has yet to determine the primary factors that contribute to this disorder. Everyday schizophrenia affects individuals greatly, with bizarre symptoms only they understand. In the following, one will be able to understand and identify each type, what factors contribute to the cause and how individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia function on a daily basis. Characterized as "crazy" disorder, schizophrenia is a mental illness that causes an individual to misinterpret reality and fantasy. A permanent, non-curable mental illness that requires constant medication, therapy and, in the most severe forms, hospitalization. Schizophrenic individuals believe that someone is plotting against them. They make up elaborate stories that are false, but to them it is very real and they continually portray feared personalities. They are unable to understand the feelings of others, withdraw socially, and preoccupy themselves with their thoughts and fantasies (Nevid and Rathus et al., 2010). The most common type of schizophrenia is called paranoid schizophrenia. People living with this type of schizophrenic disorder experience paranoid delusions accompanied by hallucinations and perceptual disturbances. They may have delusions of persecution, exalted births, credentials, special missions, or bodily changes (Puri & Treasaden, 2011). As mentioned earlier, some people assume that they are being conspired against, so they may have a more agitated and fearful personality. which goes hand in hand with delusional thoughts. It's difficult for... middle of paper ......hizophrenia Health Information - NY Times Health. [online] Retrieved from: http://www.nytimes.com/health/guides/disease/schizophrenia/causes.html [Accessed: November 30, 2013].Mental Healthy (2013). Child sexual abuse could be a major cause of schizophrenia | Mental health. [online] Retrieved from: http://www.mentalhealthy.co.uk/news/530-child-sexual-abuse-may-be-important-cause-of-schizophrenia.html [Accessed: November 30, 2013]. Pedersen, T. (2013). » Winter babies are at greater risk of schizophrenia - Psych Central News. [online] Retrieved from: http://psychcentral.com/news/2012/05/20/winter-babies-at-greater-risk-for-schizophrenia/38936.html [Accessed: December 1, 2013].Mayoclinic. com (2012). Schizophrenia: treatments and medications - MayoClinic.com. [online] Retrieved from: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/schizophrenia/DS00196/DSECTION=treatments-and-drugs [Accessed December 1 2013].