Riiight I'm assuming you are referring to the old days when bi-polar and dyslexia disorders didn't exist.

well 1. schizophrenia isnt about split personality and 2. even if it was that comment is ridiculous and insulting to those that suffer from mental illness

Every human is schizo to a certain extent. Think of every human salesperson that has to use another personality to sell that game console and a new $1500 tv to go with it, then they come home and they are themselves again(or are they?).

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She suffers from schizophrenia, a serious condition.

I picked up on the tension as well. As I continued to watch the episodes (on DVD), the character of Renee began to really grate on me. Quite simply, I don't like her. Her delivery comes across as phony, arrogant, smug, and somewhat mean spirited in ways that can't necessarily be blamed on the script writing. Having done some further checking on the cast members, I wasn't at all surprised to learn that Lisa is very much like that in real life and hasn't worked much as a consequence.
I came to Casablanca for th5b4e waters..

I didn't watch much of Ally McBeal, but I'm not doubting at all that you picked up on this tension - it was probably apparent (if subtle). I've picked up on tension between actors on other t.v. shows - even while they're supposed to be fully in character.