Schizophrenia affects 1 percent of the general population in the United States. Unfortunately, this common illness is often poorly understood and feared by many health care professionals. Whether nurse practitioners who work in primary care are aware of it or not, they inevitably come into daily or weekly contact with schizophrenics. This article is designed to increase nurse practitioners' understanding of this brain disease and help them realize that they already possess skills that are ideally suited to working with this population. Presented here are current definitions and facts about schizophrenia, as well as practical ideas for history taking, physical exam and the development of a realistic management plan.