I know 3-4 people with schizophrenia, and none of them displayed the kind of wild delusions you're describing (though I am not discounting them! Don't get me wrong). In my experience schizophrenia manifests itself more like a worse form of anxiety, paranoia and depression mixed together (all my friends are under treatment and medicated).
Paranoid schizophrenia is most well-known, and is associated with delusions (such as GP comment outlined).
Schizophrenia in general is associated with severe anxiety and depression, explaining your friends' experiences.
Note that I'm not even close to the remotest possible thing to a doctor, and have no special insight - most of my 'knowledge' about schizophrenia should be treated with caution at best.