Symptoms of Schizophrenia
By: Paul FryattTotal Views: 107, Word Count: 613,
Before knowing the symptoms of schizophrenia, let us first know about the medical explanation of schizophrenia. Schizophrenia is a mental disorder represented by breakdown of thought processes and emotional responsiveness. It is most commonly accompanied by social or occupational dysfunction. Treatment of this disease is based on the symptoms shown by the patient.
Symptoms of Schizophrenia
- The symptoms of Schizoprenia typically occur in young adulthood
- A person with schizophrenia may experience delusions, hallucinations , and disorganized thinking and speech.
- Social withdrawal, negligence of dress and hygiene, and absence of motivation and judgment are all common symptoms of schizophrenia.
- Emotional difficulty like lack of responsiveness is associated with schizophrenia.
- 40% of men and 23% of women with schizophrenia have shown these symptoms before the age of 19.
- Those who are developing schizophrenia may experience self-limiting psychotic symptoms, symptoms of social withdrawal, dysphoria and irritability during its prodromal phase.
Schneiderian Symptoms of Schizophrenia
· The psychiatrist Schneider listed specific types of psychotic symptoms that are of Schizophrenia.
· These are known as first-rank symptoms which include delusions of being controlled by an outside force.
· Although they have significantly contributed to the current studies, these symptoms are limited.
Positive and Negative Symptoms of Schizophrenia
- Changes in thinking and behavior are known to be the common symptoms of schizophrenia.
- The symptoms of schizophrenia can be classified into two types: positive or negative.
- Positive symptoms represent a modification in behavior and/ or thoughts, e.g. hallucinations or delusions.
- Negative symptoms are lack of function that usually is a part of a healthy person’s activity. For example, schizophrenic patients are found to be emotionless, flat and uninterested.
Positive Symptoms of Schizophrenia
Hallucinations
- Hallucination takes place if a person experiences a sensation when there is nothing or nobody there. A hallucination can show many senses, but hearing voices is not common.
Delusions
- A delusion is known as a belief that is held with complete sincerity even though it is based on an unrealistic view. It affects the patient’s way to behave.
- Delusions can begin suddenly over a period of weeks
- Some patients develop a delusional idea to explain a hallucination
- At one point they believe they are being chased, watched, followed, plotted against or poisoned, which is often by a family or friend.
- Some patients may believe that people on TV or newspaper articles are communicating or giving messages to them alone.
Confused Thoughts (Thought Disorder)
- People often have trouble keeping track of their thoughts as well as conversations.
- Some patients find it hard to concentrate
- They may have trouble watching a TV program, reading newspaper articles, etc.
Changes in Behavior and Thoughts
- Behavior becomes more disorganized and appearance more unusual
- People with schizophrenia may act inappropriately or shout for no reason
Negative Symptoms of Schizophrenia
· Losing motivation in life and activities which also include relationships and sex.
· Not wanting to leave the house
· Changes in sleeping habits
· Being less interested in initiating conversations
The negative symptoms of schizophrenia can result in relationship problems because patients’ symptoms can be mistaken for laziness or rudeness.
About the Author
Paul Fryatt, M.D. has been in this profession from last 24 years. He made great achievements in his profession. He made an initiative to open a Family Allergy Clinic in 1985 to help his patients who were not reacting to traditional allergy treatment programs. Moreover he has explored the treatment to overcome allergy symptoms to reclaim quality of life through his convenient, no-shots therapy.
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