Play explores the reality of living with schizophrenia

A play exploring what it's like to live with someone who has schizophrenia is set to visit Dumfries at the end of this month.

Schizophrenia is one of the most common serious mental health conditions, and it will affect around one in every one hundred people in their lifetime.

Typical symptoms include hallucinations, delusions and changes in behaviour.

Most diagnoses occur between the ages of fifteen and thirty-five, and both men and women are affected equally.

The play, called Normal/Madness, has already been performed at Edinburgh Festival, and is currently touring Scotland.

Its writer and performer, Fiona Geddes, based much of the play's content on her own life experience of living with a relative with schizophrenia.

But she admits that she never really understood how complex the condition was until she began researching for the play and speaking to professionals.

She says the play has had a huge impact on her life and on her understanding, and is hoping those who see the show will feel the same.