Do people with schizophrenia always hear voices?

I started typing my own description, but found this one to be better worded (from Psych-Central's website):

Schizophrenia is characterized by at least 2 of the following symptoms, for at least one month:

* Delusions

* Hallucinations (auditory are much more common than visual)

* Disorganized speech (e.g., frequent derailment or incoherence)

* Grossly disorganized or catatonic behavior

* Negative symptoms (e.g., a "flattening" of one's emotions, loss of speech, etc.)

Only one symptom is required if delusions are bizarre or hallucinations consist of a voice keeping up a running commentary on the person's behavior or thoughts, or two or more voices conversing with each other.

hearing voices is Schizophrenia, increased aggression is borderline personality disorder mood swings are bipolar I have believed all my life that these things aren't part of a "larger mental disorder" :) My psychiatrist doesn't quite agree with that and prescribes Stelazine which works quite well On the serious side... yes, it is possible to have all these symptoms without a major mental illness, particularly if you've been exposed to a Benzodiazapine or other medication for epilepsy or suffered a recent bout of major depression. Life changing events can also cause what is termed as "Brief Psychotic Episode". Diabetes can cause it as well. Psychosis is not something to mess around with as it can cause a person to become lost on the streets, commit a heinous crime or exhibit other troublesome behavior when they are not even aware of it. It is a time in a person's life when they should see a psychiatrist as soon as one can fit them into his or her schedule.

The Schizophrenic can hear voices but not always. One of the most common symptom of Schizophrenia is hallucinations, usually they see people or figures from everyday life.

I dont think you have to hear voices to be schizo. My grandma had it and never heard anything. I believe I have a touch of it now, if that is possible and I have only heard something a couple times. But I think that was due to the fact that I was just falling asleep, in that dreamy state. But it sure scared the hell out of me and jerked me awake. People are so different it is hard to tell.

i don't think he may be telling the truth. ppl with schizophrenia are very ill and sick. I think they do hear voices that tell them to do stuff. Also i don't think he may be the safest person to be around. They can be very dangerous and want to kill themselves and others.

NOPE. You can have visual or auditory hallucinations

YOur friend is correct.

Psychiatry is a hoax, your buddy does not have it..