Final answer:
The lifetime prevalence of schizophrenia in the United States is approximately 1%. It is a serious mental illness requiring long-term treatment with antipsychotic medications.
Step-by-step explanation:
The lifetime prevalence of schizophrenia is estimated to be around 1% for people in the United States. Schizophrenia is a complex mental illness characterized by a range of symptoms, including difficulties in differentiating reality from imagination, inappropriate emotional responses, issues with thinking, and social challenges. Hallucinations, hearing voices, and delusions are common experiences for those with schizophrenia. Treatment typically involves antipsychotic medications that block dopamine receptors to reduce symptoms, but a cure for schizophrenia has not yet been found, and continued medication is usually necessary.