Historically, what we now know as schizophrenia has been perceived differently across time and cultural contexts. In different cultures (and at different times) the same experiences can be seen either as special gifts or pathological experiences – symptoms of psychotic illnesses and disorders. Those who in the West are referred to as psychotics or schizophrenics, in other cultures can be considered healers or shamans. It is notable that some religions were started by ‘experie