How to Recognize Symptoms of Schizophrenia?

Answer 1

Schizophrenia symptoms vary from person to person. There are several main types of schizophrenia, and schizophrenia is often confused with other mental illneses, so there are a wide range of symptoms.

There are three types of schizophrenia symptoms - cognitive, positive and negative. Cognitive symptoms affect thought processes, and are the worst ones to have, since they interfere with normal activities. These include lack of memory and understanding, and inability to pay attention. Positive symptoms connote distorted or excessive normal functions. These include hallucinations, delusions and disorganized thought, speech and behavior. Negative symptoms mean that normal function is absent or diminished. These include lack of interest, motivation and emotion, neglect of personal hygiene and social withdrawal.

Paranoid-type schizophrenia is often characterized by hallucinations and delusions. People with this type of schizophrenia often behave normally otherwise, but can often be anxious and angry. Disorganized-type schizophrenia causes a lack of organization in everything from thought, speech and emotion to everyday activities, such as dressing, showering and cooking. People with this type of schizophrenia are difficult to understand and often express inappropriate emotions. Residual-type schizophrenia is where a person has had schizophrenia in the past but currently shows no symptoms. It could mean that the person is in remission, or conversely, about to have a full-blown episode. Catatonic-type schizophrenia is characterized by movement disturbances People with this type of schizophrenia may be completely immobile or move all over the place. Their vocal pattern is erratic; they may not say anything for a long period of time or may copy everything someone says or does. Undifferentiated-type schizophrenia involves symptoms from several categories, but not enough to distinguish it as any one type.

Schizophrenia can often be confused with depression or bipolar disorder. It’s important to get professional help

if someone you love has any change in behavior, especially since many with schizophrenia may harm themselves or others. By being able to identify signs and symptoms, and taking medications when scheduled, those with schizophrenia can go on to live happy and fulfilling lives.