Schizophrenia and the people living with it are highly misunderstood. The name itself is misleading: Schizophrenia means “split mind” in Latin, but the illness doesn’t cause “split,” or multiple, personalities.

One in every 100 people — approximately 2 million individuals in the United States alone — is living with schizophrenia, a condition that can significantly impact daily life and well-being.

Here’s what you should know about schizophrenia.

What is schizophrenia?

Schizophrenia is a mental disorder that can cause hallucinations, delusions and disorganized movement and speech. It interferes with thinking and motivation to a degree that can be disabling. These symptoms, which are features of psychosis (losing touch with reality), differ among people in severity and frequency. People are usually diagnosed between the ages of 16 and 30, and women tend to have a later onset than men. Early, consistent treatment eases symptoms, while stress, alcohol and illegal drugs tend to bring on or increase the intensity of symptoms.

Despite often being portrayed as violent, people with this illness aren’t any more violent than other people — in fact, they may be more vulnerable to being targets of violence.

What causes schizophrenia?

While schizophrenia has no known cause, studies have linked genetics, substance use, brain injury and stress with the appearance of symptoms.

Who does schizophrenia affect?

Rates of schizophrenia don’t vary greatly across the world. About 1% of the population live with the mental illness, and women and men are equally affected. In the U.S., around 2 million people, or 1 in 100, are believed to have schizophrenia .

What are signs of schizophrenia?

Schizophrenia is often misdiagnosed and tough to detect early. Its first warning signs are also symptoms of other mental illnesses, such as depression, substance use or bipolar disorder. The Schizophrenia & Psychosis Action Alliance recommends consulting a mental health professional if you notice drastic behavioral changes in a loved one. Early diagnosis and prompt treatment can improve outcomes.

Early signs of schizophrenia can include:

• Dramatic weight losses or gains
• Inattention to hygiene
• Problems understanding others
• Troubled relationships
• Poor school performance
• Reduced motivation
• Social withdrawal
• Extreme emotional reactions, such as outbursts, yelling or uncontrolled crying

Later-stage symptoms of schizophrenia fall into three categories:

• Psychotic symptoms are sometimes called “positive” symptoms because they’re abnormally present. Psychotic symptoms change the way a person understands and interacts with the world. They include hallucinations — sensing things that aren’t there — or delusions — strong beliefs that seem irrational to others. Psychotic symptoms can include hearing voices, believing you are being followed or believing you’re a famous or historical figure. These symptoms seem very real to the person experiencing them.
• Negative symptoms refer to abnormally absent traits, such as flat emotional expressions, withdrawal from social contact, reduced motivation, decreased speech and a lowered experience of pleasure. People with negative symptoms use a monotone voice, make few facial expressions or could even stop moving and talking at all — a condition known as catatonia. Negative symptoms can sometimes be confused with symptoms of depression.
• Disorganized and cognitive symptoms refer to confused and disordered speech and thinking, impaired decision-making and the inability to plan and carry out everyday activities like grocery shopping. Managing cognitive symptoms through treatment can vastly improve everyday functioning and the ability to live independently.

How is schizophrenia different for women vs. men?

The age of diagnosis and symptoms of schizophrenia can differ for men and women. Schizophrenia tends to present at an earlier age in men — in their late teens to mid-20s — while symptoms in women usually show up in their late 20s and early 30s.

Late-onset schizophrenia, which presents after age 45, is more common in women. Some studies suggest that this is explained by the declining levels of estrogen during perimenopause and menopause. Symptoms of late-onset schizophrenia can include severe paranoid delusions, visual and olfactory (smell) hallucinations, and tactile hallucinations that can feel like bugs crawling on the skin.

Overall, women are more likely to experience the emotional instability that can come with any type of schizophrenia. Symptoms can include:

• Depression
• Impulsivity
• Emotional instability
• Sexual delusions

How to get a diagnosis for schizophrenia and seek care

Family and friends can play a critical role in the diagnosis of schizophrenia because people with this mental illness are often unable to recognize they have it. Identifying the disease and starting treatment greatly improves a person’s odds of reducing psychotic episodes and successfully managing the illness.

Unfortunately, there is no single test that can diagnose schizophrenia, but a mental health professional can diagnose the condition by watching and evaluating a person’s symptoms over the course of six months. During this time, the medical team will rule out other possibilities, such as other mental illnesses, substance misuse and brain tumors.

A primary care physician can help refer you to a mental health specialist. For the first appointment for you or a loved one, it will help to prepare:

• A list of observed symptoms, even those that don’t seem to be related to schizophrenia or mental illness
• A family health history, including mental illnesses
• Key information about stressors or life changes
• A list of any medications or supplements currently taken
• A list of questions you or your loved one might have

How is schizophrenia managed?

There’s no cure for schizophrenia, but there are treatment options that can reduce or control symptoms, prevent future psychotic episodes and improve a person’s daily functioning. There are several antipsychotic medications available as well as newer treatments. One of these newer treatments is a recently approved muscarinic agonist, which means that it stimulates certain types of receptors in your body. This is the first medicine of its kind, and it takes a new approach to treating schizophrenia symptoms while avoiding burdensome side effects associated with other antipsychotics. Some medications are taken by pill daily, while others can be given by injection once or twice a month. The prescribing doctor’s goal is to find the medication that controls a person’s symptoms best at the lowest possible dose.

Medication should be taken as part of a comprehensive plan that includes social support and therapy. Examples of these include talk therapy, vocational and social skills training, and employment and education services. People who coordinate their medical care with these supports are known to have fewer acute episodes and hospitalizations.

Other factors that contribute to better quality of life for people living with schizophrenia include proactively managing triggers and stress, maintaining good sleep habits, avoiding alcohol and drugs, and prioritizing social connections.

What are common barriers to treatment and wellness for those with schizophrenia?

One of the challenges in treating schizophrenia is ensuring continuity of care. This includes supporting people in consistently taking their medications and accessing vital services. A key factor is that psychosis can alter perceptions of reality, making it difficult for individuals to recognize their condition or the need for treatment. This, and other factors, result in around 1 in 2 people with schizophrenia discontinuing their treatment — a statistic that illustrates why the average schizophrenia patient’s life expectancy is shortened by an average of 28.5 years.

Another barrier to treatment is that there is a significant stigma surrounding schizophrenia because it’s often misunderstood, which may be partially due to how it has been portrayed in mainstream media. The stigma can come from outside but also from within, and any stigma — regardless of the source — can prevent people from seeking medical help and continuing with treatment.

The financial toll of schizophrenia can also be steep. Direct healthcare costs represent part of the financial burden, while factors such as being unable to work and having complex social service needs make schizophrenia more expensive than other chronic medical conditions.

Insurance can also create barriers to accessing treatment. Antipsychotic medications are covered under Medicare Part D, Medicaid and most private health insurance policies, however, even with coverage, the specific drug you need may not be covered by your plan — or even if it is, depending on what tier level it is, it could still be expensive.

Also, many insurance companies use utilization management programs, which apply cost management tools such as step therapy and prior authorization for complex conditions such as schizophrenia. Step therapy requires that you try and fail certain treatments before others are covered by your insurance. And prior authorization requires that you get permission from your insurance company before it will pay for it. This can lead to people being forced to try a number of treatments that don’t work for them or being stuck with older medications because newer ones are more likely to require step therapy and prior authorization. These extra requirements can keep people from getting the medication or treatment they need in a timely manner — or even at all.

Lack of access to treatment can lead to increased rates of emergency room visits, hospitalizations, imprisonment and experiencing homelessness among people with schizophrenia.

Still, the vast majority of people with the illness are not homeless, and live with family, in group homes or independently.

Living with hope and dignity

Although schizophrenia is an incurable mental illness, it can be managed successfully with a combination of medication, therapy and social support, enabling people living with schizophrenia to lead lives full of hope and dignity.

Resources

American Psychiatric Association

Current Clinical Trials for Schizophrenia

National Alliance on Mental Illness

National Institutes of Mental Health

SAMHSA Treatment Finder

Schizophrenia & Psychosis Action Alliance

This educational resource was created with support from BMS, a HealthyWomen Corporate Advisory Council member.

For years, juice cleanses have been marketed as the ultimate detox, promising clearer skin, rapid weight loss, and a squeaky-clean digestive system. However, recent scientific findings suggest that these liquid-only diets may be doing more harm than good when it comes to your gut microbiome.

“The majority of juice cleanses impact gut health negatively. They can cause bowel habit irregularity and even precipitate inflammatory bowel disease, as the gut microbiota is disrupted due to the lack of fiber in these cleanses. And we see patients all the time whose irritable bowel syndrome worsens after they’ve embarked on a juice cleanse,”

— Fazia Mir, MD, American Gastroenterological Association Spokesperson, Clinical Assistant Professor at the University of New Mexico

The U.S. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health reports there’s little evidence to support juice cleanses for eliminating toxins from the body. Additionally, some juices used in detox protocols aren’t pasteurized or treated to kill harmful bacteria, potentially exposing individuals to toxigenic E. coli, Salmonella, hepatitis A, and Cryptosporidium.

Moreover, juices made from high-oxalate foods — like leafy greens and beets — can pose a risk for individuals prone to kidney stones, making juice cleanses even riskier for some.

Gut Microbiome: The Real Detox Hero

Your gut is home to trillions of microbes that aid digestion, regulate the immune system, and even produce serotonin. A healthy microbiome thrives on diversity and fiber, both of which are sorely lacking in juice-only diets. Fiber, found in whole plant foods, feeds beneficial bacteria and promotes microbial balance.

What to Do Instead

If you’re looking to reset your gut, skip the liquid fast. Focus on nourishing your microbiome with real food:

• Eat whole, plant-based foods rich in prebiotic fiber (e.g., onions, garlic, oats, bananas)
• Add fermented foods (e.g., yogurt, kefir, kimchi, sauerkraut)
• Stay hydrated — with water, not sugary juices
• Limit ultra-processed foods and added sugars

Juice cleanses offer a quick-fix feeling, but they often come at the cost of gut health. Instead of starving your body, nourish it with whole, fiber-rich foods that support your natural detox systems — your gut, liver, and kidneys. Trust your body — and feed your microbes.

Ref used:

https://www.medscape.com

Disclaimer
The Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

As told to Jacquelyne Froeber

I moved to Manhattan in my early 20s for a job in television production. I worked as a producer for shows on ABC News and Showtime, and I loved the fast pace of the job and the city. Between work and friends, I was constantly on the go and there was never a shortage of fun things to do.

But everything changed when I was 26.

I started having joint and muscle pain I couldn’t explain. My fingers and toes were constantly tingling — like they’d fallen asleep — but I had trouble sleeping and terrible brain fog.

One afternoon, I felt good enough to walk across the Williamsburg Bridge to meet a friend, but afterward, my whole body felt like it was on fire. My lymph nodes bulged out of my neck, and my throat was so sore I could barely swallow. I knew something was wrong.

The first healthcare provider (HCP) I saw ordered a bunch of tests but couldn’t find anything that would explain my symptoms. He referred me to different specialists who all said the same thing: We’re not sure what’s wrong with you. There were times when an HCP thought we were close to a diagnosis, but it never checked out.

Months into the rotation of referrals, I had an appointment with a well-known neurologist, and I crossed my fingers that he would have answers.

“Do you have a boyfriend?” he asked.

I paused. Not a question I was expecting. “Not right now,” I said.

“All your symptoms would get a lot better if you had a boyfriend,” he said. “Women your age need to have boyfriends.”

I was shocked and chuckled uncomfortably. I figured he was making a bad joke on the way to a diagnosis. But it turned out that a boyfriend was his real solution.

I left the appointment visibly shaking. I wondered how, in 2014, a woman seeking medical help for an unknown health condition could be treated so poorly. Years later, I would learn that women are significantly more likely to report not being taken seriously by medical evaluators — a pattern that extends far beyond just one bad doctor.

Unfortunately, Dr. Boyfriend wasn’t the last HCP who didn’t take me seriously, and my symptoms only got worse. I eventually had to quit my job to see HCPs full time.

Around the ninth misdiagnosis, I realized that if I didn’t find out what was going on with me, no one would. For months, I spent what little bit of energy I had pouring over information on the internet and in medical journals.

One day, I read about post-exertional malaise (PEM), which is when symptoms like pain, fatigue and brain fog flare up after physical, mental or emotional activity. My mind immediately went to the time I crossed the Williamsburg Bridge, and I cried. I knew I had my diagnosis. PEM is a hallmark symptom of myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS). A complex, severely debilitating physiological illness that can affect the entire body.

There were two specialists in Manhattan and both of them diagnosed me with the condition. I was relieved to stop the carousel of random HCPs but devastated to learn that there were no FDA-approved treatments or medications for ME/CFS.

It was also extremely frustrating to finally have a diagnosis, but when people looked it up, all they’d see was “chronic fatigue syndrome” and think I was just tired. I’d send people medical articles and try to explain the wide range of symptoms — electric shocks in my arms, severe brain fog that felt like my mind was shutting down — but there were no resources out there to accurately describe what was happening or how complex the condition really is.

In 2016, not long after my official diagnosis, I had a massive “crash” or flare up of symptoms. My lymph nodes and throat were swollen and painful, and my legs stopped working properly — like they had turned into JELL-O.

I knew something was happening and it wasn’t good. I hailed the first cab I saw outside of my apartment and went straight to my parent’s house in Connecticut.

I’d developed very severe ME/CFS and could no longer do the simplest movements. I couldn’t wiggle my toes or bend my fingers. Even the sucking motion of a straw was a struggle, and the smallest sip of a smoothie took everything out of me. My parents hired caretakers to help me with basic tasks like brushing my teeth and turning my body so I didn’t get bed sores.

The worst part was that I lost the ability to speak. I was trapped in my own body without a way to communicate — a hell I wouldn’t wish on anyone’s worst enemy. I suffered every moment of every day, but losing my voice was torture.

With no FDA-approved treatments available, I was given numerous off-label medications to see if anything helped improve my condition. I knew some people with ME/CFS see improvements with off-label treatments — but not everyone does.

Thankfully, after 2½ years of being completely bedbound, I started showing improvements. I gradually started speaking again and progressed to simple quality of life tasks like using an iPad.

And after finally getting my voice back, I knew that I wanted to use it to bring awareness to this poorly understood condition. In March 2024, I launched #NotJustFatigue — an educational resource for everyone from government officials to friends and family to learn about ME/CFS and the stigma surrounding it. Decades of misinformation have unfortunately taken a toll on how we view this debilitating, chronic illness. It wasn’t long ago — 2017 — that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended exercise and cognitive behavioral therapy as treatments for ME/CFS. They’ve since taken the recommendation down, but no progress has been made regarding treatment options.

More recently, #NotJustFatigue partnered with researchers to release the Invisible Illness Report — the first comprehensive survey examining the economic impact of ME/CFS on individuals and families. The survey found what I would have guessed: Almost all people (94%) with ME/CFS saw some interruption in their professional lives. And 1 in 4 said their diagnosis forced them to leave the workforce entirely.

People with ME/CFS that were able to work retained only 57% of their pre-illness income on average. Women were hit particularly hard, maintaining just 49% of their previous earnings compared to 63% for men. Perhaps most telling, nearly half of women reported not being taken seriously by disability evaluators, compared to a third of men.

It’s because of these tangible ripple effects of ME/CFS that I’ve been meeting with congressional staffers to advocate for government funding for clinical trials. As a person who’s been bedbound for nine years because of the condition, I know hope is what keeps you going, and what we really need are clinical trials. We need to know the people who’ve improved, why they’ve improved and if other people can improve in the same way. There are millions of people living with ME/CFS. Anyone can get it at any time, and women are three times more likely to develop the condition than men.

It’s been almost a decade since my diagnosis, and I’m beyond ready for progress. It’s frustrating to think that if the government had invested in finding treatments for the disease, maybe my life would be different. But my focus now is taking it day by day and holding onto hope for the future. Hope that doctors will be fully educated about ME/CFS in medical school and there will be specialists and medical centers and treatment options for people living with the disease. It’s what everyone with ME/CFS deserves.

Have your own Real Women, Real Stories you want to share? Let us know.

Our Real Women, Real Stories are the authentic experiences of real-life women. The views, opinions and experiences shared in these stories are not endorsed by HealthyWomen and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of HealthyWomen.

Alice Connors is a popular Model, and a Social Media Influencer famous for her beautiful and stunning pictures and short videos that she posts on her social media handles like Instagram, TikTok, etc. Alice came into the limelight after she started modeling with popular modeling agencies and brands.

She has competed in numerous modeling competitions and has been making waves in the social media world. With thousands of followers on her various social media handles, she is making a name for herself. From appearing in various fashion shows to featuring in advertisements, Alice Connors is truly making a mark in the modeling world. Alice Connors was born in Bristol, England to Mr. James Connors and Mrs. Ann Connors. Alice’s nationality is British.

Alice Connors is a true example of beauty, fitness, and health. Her height is 5’2 making her the perfect size for any modeling project. She has a gorgeous face and a stunning personality to top it off. This stunning model has worked hard to maintain her physical fitness and overall health in order to be successful in the modeling world. She follows a strict diet and exercise regime to ensure that her body is able to endure the rigors of modeling. She also makes sure to get plenty of rest and relaxation in order to stay looking amazing.

Alice Connors is an amazing student who has achieved a remarkable amount in her lifetime! She studied at Ruislip High School, and then further specialized in Psychology at university. After completing her studies, she achieved a high level 6 (honors) in Psychology and then went on to study the human brain and body language in further detail. Alice also qualified in law as a paralegal executive and in criminology. Her qualifications didn’t stop there though. She also achieved level 3 qualifications in Psychology, and other qualifications in Makeup Artistry, Tissue Viability Nursing, Psychotherapy, and Counseling, Business, Depression Counseling, and even a GCSE in Geography. To top it all off, Alice could speak multiple languages like English, Spanish, and Greek! This is truly an impressive track record and Alice has clearly worked hard and achieved her goals. The most recent study of her is Quantum Science.

At the young age of sixteen Alice Connors already had an impressive professional career: she was working in business and computer coding. Little did she know that this would launch her into the limelight. One fateful day, she was discovered by a modeling director who immediately saw her potential and invited her to compete in a beauty pageant. Alice accepted and soon found herself on stage, competing in her first-ever modeling event.

To everyone’s delight, Alice was awarded the title of winner. She was presented with four sashes, featured in a magazine, and given a modeling contract. Alice didn’t let her newfound fame go to her head. She still kept up with her work in the business industry and found time to do press interviews and photo shoots. One of the most memorable of these is in Piccadilly Circus.

Alice Connors is a true inspiration and testament to the fact that no matter how young you are, you can still make your dreams come true. At 18 years old Alice was an aspiring model when her modeling images were noticed by Miss World Classic. She took the opportunity and performed on stage at the Miss World Classic show, making it her very first bikini performance.

Thanks to her talented performance, Alice was selected as a model to perform at the Miss Motors Modeling show. She went on to win and was invited to fly to the Formula 1 Grand Prix in Monaco. After the show, Alice took some time away from the modeling industry to focus on her studies. Her success as a model has certainly been inspiring, and we can all learn from her determination and drive.

After her short break from the modeling industry, Alice returned and performed in a theme-wear modeling event. At this event, her outfit by choice was inspired by the Victoria’s Secret Modelling show. Dressed as a white angel, with large wings. Alice won and was invited to the world championships. Alice competed in the bikini world championships. The competition was huge! Models from all around the world competed. After two years of perseverance and competing in the World Championships. Alice finally achieved something she had worked incredibly hard for and she won. Attained not just one but two! Golden trophy’s on her night of winning. She received her professional athlete card, and become a world-champion bikini model.

The audience grew even larger, after the world championships, and the modeling event after was yet another international show that took place in the 02 arenas. She performed on stage in the 02 arenas with thousands watching, including press and red-carpet interviews after.

With the huge shows back to back and the intense preparations, Alice decided to take a short break. And work on something that she was just as passionate about, her education. She started to study at the University for her Degrees.

Alice studied intensively for 2 years. She achieved multiple qualifications and returned to the modeling industry as the head Judge of a show she once performed at. Alice was then published in over 25 magazines and websites internationally. The press then gained interest in Alice’s qualifications. Alice was called for multiple press newspaper articles on her education. The story appeared in newspaper articles around the world. Alice then competed in Maxim a worldwide famous competition.

Alice still continues her education. And will be representing England in an international beauty pageant that will air on television.

Some of Alice’s many publications:

• Eclair Magazine New York
• Celebrity Style Cruze Magazine
• Vanity Vip Magazine
• Alice’s skills:
• Professional photography
• Advanced Swimming

This year, Alice Connors is fully committed to living with purpose and seizing every moment. Her mission is to make a real difference in the lives of others. She will start by running a marathon, using it as a catalyst to raise funds for those in need. Her philanthropy will continue to impact hospitals, support young children, and help those facing challenges.

She wish to write powerful, transformative books—ranging from health and diet to psychology—that will inspire and empower others to take control of their lives and well-being. This year, she will also launch her own model show, giving young talent the opportunity to break into the industry and pursue their dreams. She is determined to make 2025 a year of transformation, growth, and meaningful impact.

Women Fitness President Ms. Namita Nayyar catches up with Alice Connors an exceptionally talented Supermodel, Influencer and a world-champion bikini model here she talks about her fitness routine, her diet, and her success story.

Namita Nayyar:

Where were you born and had your early education? Later you decided to pursue modeling as your own profession. This later propelled your career to the height where you won the titles Miss Europe United Kingdom in the Miss Europe beauty pageant Tell us more about your professional journey of exceptional hard work, tenacity, and endurance.

Alice Connors:

On 14 November 1996, I was born in Bristol, England to Mr. James Connors and Mrs. Ann Connors. When I was very little I started dancing and performing I would attend professional classes. My mother and father would have all of my dresses custom-made as well as my jewelry. My first ever performance in front of an audience was age 5 when I was selected to play an angel of Christmas. After my early education I moved to London where I furthered my education. I started studying languages and business. And then further specialized in Psychology at university.

After completing my studies, I achieved a level 6 (honors) in Psychology and then went on to study law.

Namita Nayyar:

When did you start your modeling debut ? Tell us more about this first time when you faced the camera and your experience working in that modeling campaign.

Alice Connors:

At 17 I was working in business and computer coding, I was invited by a pageant director to compete in a beauty pageant. I competed and I won and was crowned I was presented with four sashes, won a modeling contract. I still kept up with my work in the business industry and found time to do press interviews and photo shoots.

Full Interview is Continued on Next Page

This interview is exclusive and taken by Namita Nayyar President of womenfitness.net and should not be reproduced, copied, or hosted in part or full anywhere without express permission.

All Written Content Copyright © 2025 Women Fitness

Disclaimer
The Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

HealthyWomen shares the concerns of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and other medical associations about the health and safety of pregnant people and newborns in the United States following the recent announcement that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) will no longer recommend Covid-19 vaccination during pregnancy. This decision may significantly impact how pregnant people make healthcare decisions and undermines their ability to make informed choices for themselves and their families.

Covid-19 remains a serious threat. Getting a Covid-19 infection during pregnancy puts patients at higher risks for severe illness, and newborns rely on maternal antibodies for protection in their early weeks of life. The removal of this recommendation creates confusion, despite clear and consistent scientific evidence supporting the safety and efficacy of Covid-19 vaccines during pregnancy.

This abrupt departure from established guidance may cause people to forgo vaccination or lose access to the vaccine because of changes in insurance coverage — a particularly troubling outcome for those already facing health disparities.

The science has not changed. A Covid-19 infection during pregnancy can be catastrophic, and vaccines are a proven safeguard. This policy shift undermines confidence in vaccination at a time when trust and access are essential.

HealthyWomen urges HHS to reverse this decision and uphold evidence-based guidance that protects the health of pregnant people, newborns and their families.