Throughout life there are many challenges that arise when trying to figure out what type of life is best suited for the individual. Many realize this when they leave their parents' home and go out into the world. However, this task can be made more difficult when living with a mental disability. This article will look at what it's like to live with schizophrenia. From the obstacles the individual must overcome to who else it affects, such as the role of family and friends. There are many moving parts that play a role in the standard of living of an individual with schizophrenia and if they do not all work well together, this can cause a great disadvantage for people with schizophrenia. The most notable part present in determining the standard of living surrounding schizophrenia is the individual. There is a wide range of symptoms which are divided into two categories. The first is positive symptoms, or the presence of an excessive amount of a certain behavior, including disorganized speech and delusions. Often these symptoms are not apparent to the general public. Negative symptoms are the absence of behavior; this includes avolition, alogia, anhedonia, and flat affect. There were also other symptoms that did not fit into these categories, such as catatonia and inappropriate affection. These symptoms have a profound effect on the individual and often their hopes and dreams are dashed. Often these symptoms go unnoticed by the affected person until they lose control. This is seen in many statements of people who think back to the beginning of their treatment, Bill McClary from the case study showed this pattern well as the flight attendant facing f...... middle of paper... and be able to set realistic expectations for the relationship between yourself and your loved one who suffers from schizophrenia. In conclusion, schizophrenia is a serious mental disability that affects all aspects of life. Although some find a fulfilling life, there are still some who are tormented by the symptoms of schizophrenia, such as negative and positive symptoms. There is also biological theory and social selection theory that plays a role in the lives of people diagnosed with schizophrenia. There are also many external influences, such as family and friends, that play an important role in the devolution and recovery process. Anyone who has been touched by schizophrenia has their own struggle to overcome and must find a support system to help them get through those difficult times. Schizophrenia is a mental disability that takes many different people and time to overcome.