Imagine this.You’re sitting alone in your room when suddenly, a voice calls your name. There’s no one there. You glance at the window — someone’s watching, maybe following you, maybe reading your thoughts. The world feels real, but not quite right. You try to speak, but your words come out tangled, confused, as if your mind is slipping away. People stare. You pull away. They say you’re not the same anymore.Does it have to be a ghost?Does it have to be anything supernatural?What you’ve just imagined is often what someone with schizophrenia might experience — a serious mental disorder that affects how a person thinks, feels, and perceives reality. It usually begins in late teens or early adulthood and can interfere with everyday life in deep, disorienting ways.Hallucinations — especially hearing voices — are among the most common symptoms. These can be joined by visual, tactile, olfactory, or gustatory hallucinations. The person may also hold strong false beliefs called delusions, such as thinking others are plotting against them, or that they have powers or secret messages are being sent through TV shows or radio.Their thoughts may become scattered or incoherent, and they may show little emotion, withdraw socially, or lose motivation. These are known as negative symptoms.The cause? A mix of genetics, brain chemical imbalances (especially dopamine), structural changes in the brain, and life stressors. While there’s no cure, treatments like antipsychotic medication, therapy, and strong support can help people manage symptoms and live fulfilling lives.Schizophrenia is not a sign of weakness, possession, or failure — it’s a disorder of the brain. The more we understand it, the less we fear it.So ask yourself again:Does it have to be a ghost?Or could it be something real, and very human?