Schizophrenia is one of a group of illnesses which cause 'psychosis' - affecting the brain's ability to interpret information and make sense of the world. When someone is given a diagnosis of a psychotic illness such as schizophrenia it can raise all sorts of questions and worries. What do terms such as 'schizophrenia' or 'schizoaffective disorder' actually mean? Is there any effective treatment? What can you do to help yourself? And what can family and friends do to help and to help themselves? The more we all understand, the better we are able to help ourselves and others.