The Scientist :

Schizophrenia hits most people in their late teens or early 20s. When the illness first strikes, a person may have delusional thoughts or hear voices, but is often not aware that he or she is ill. Frequently, he or she may have a complete decompensation and end up hospitalized. "I did not believe I was sick; I believed I was being assaulted by Satan and his demons," says Robin Cunningham, 65, a retired businessman and advocate for people with schizophrenia. He has been living with the disease since he was 13 years old.