Schizophrenia - Informative Speech

Schizophrenia

Specific Purpose: To inform my audience about schizophrenia and its consequences.

Central Idea: Schizophrenia is a serious mental disorder that affects millions of people and it should not be underestimated or ignored.

Introduction

I. Does anyone have a friend who hears voices that nobody else hears, sees things that nobody else sees or believes that people are controlling his mind and trying to plot against him?

A. Well, I do.

B. I have a close friend, Ash, who was diagnosed with schizophrenia at an age of 23 earlier this year.

C. The news was shocking and it fueled my longstanding curiosity towards this disorder.

II. I want to inform my audience of schizophrenia which according to medical experts affects approximately 2 million Americans every year, especially in our age group.

III. Over the course of the speech I will give an overview of the disorder followed by its symptoms, diagnosis, causes, treatment and experiences of my schizophrenic friend.