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Hello deepz,   In the initial period, there will be feelings of shock, numbness and denial, and hoping against hope that things will get better.  I urge you to read my SharePosts, "Responding to Trauma" at http://www.healthcentral.com/schizophrenia/c/120/28616/responding and "Seven Steps to Recovery" at http://www.healthcentral.com/schizophrenia/c/120/25862/steps-recovery .   The prognosis is generally good if someone commits to staying in treatment, takes the medication as prescribed every day, and reaches out to his or her support network, and maintains close, healthy relationships with friends and family.   I know people with schizophrenia who collect disability checks.  I know people with schizophrenia who are employed full-time.  People with schizophrenia are artists, mothers, fathers, bankers, writers, musicians, and yes, as someone else mentioned, John Nash, Jr. won a Nobel prize.   Forget the statistics, though I'll quote them if that helps you.  60 percent of those diagnosed with schizophrenia recover fully or improve significantly, and among those who do less well, good improvement is also possible over time.  The point is not to compare yourself to other people, yet not to feel helpless.   By relying on your support network, attending a day program, doing volunteer work or working at some kind of paid employment, you can feel better about yourself and have a productive life.   Each persons' situation is different, however, the one thing we have in common is that we are all human beings and there is no shame in having schizophrenia, even though sometimes we feel guilty about it.   There is hope.   Regards, Chri