Schizophrenia Symptoms

Schizophrenia is perhaps the most debilitating, but also the most misunderstood mental illness.

To gain a better understanding of this complex illness, it is important to become familiar with schizophrenia symptoms. What are the most common schizophrenia symptoms?

First, it is important to note that, contrary to popular opinion, schizophrenia is not a multiple personality disorder. People with schizophrenia are rarely violent, and they can usually function and make life decisions without the help of a guardian.

Schizophrenia causes distorted thinking and perception. People with schizophrenia often see or hear things that are not there. Schizophrenia can appear in many forms and the level of severity varies greatly.

For example, a person with paranoid schizophrenia has constant feelings of being watched or persecuted. A person with undifferentiated schizophrenia lacks motivation and social interests and is emotionally unresponsive. A person with disorganized schizophrenia is incoherent, but does not have delusions.

Symptoms of Schizophrenia

Diagnosis of schizophrenia is based on a pattern of signs and symptoms that impair the individual’s ability to function socially or hold a job. Schizophrenia affects basic functions, such as the way we think, the way we speak and a person’s sense of self.

Hallucinating and hearing voices are common symptoms. A person with schizophrenia commonly becomes delusional, resulting in distorted perceptions and beliefs. Schizophrenia symptoms are typically divided into positive symptoms and negative symptoms.

Positive Symptoms of Schizophrenia

Positive symptoms of schizophrenia are those that appear to reflect an excess or distortion of normal functions. Positive schizophrenia symptoms may include:

• Delusions. Common delusions include a feeling of being watched or followed, or a belief that TV or radio programs are sending special messages directly to the person with schizophrenia.
• Hallucinations. Distortions or exaggerations may be auditory or visual.
• Disorganized speech or thinking. Incoherent or loosely associated speech and thinking is a common schizophrenia symptom.
• Disorganized behavior. Purposeless, unpredictable, bizarre behavior is another common symptom of schizophrenia.
• Catatonic behavior. The patient may become motionless and apparently unaware of the surrounding environment.
• Other positive schizophrenia symptoms. Pacing, rocking, somatic preoccupations and other inappropriate behavior often occur.

Negative Symptoms of Schizophrenia

Negative symptoms of schizophrenia are those that reflect a diminution or loss of normal functions. Negative schizophrenia symptoms may include:

• Affective flattening. A reduction in the range and intensity of emotional expression, such as less eye contact and muted vocal tone is a common negative schizophrenia symptom.
• Alogia. Less talking and less fluent speech is another frequent negative symptom.
• Avolition. Difficulty or inability to carry out goal-oriented behavior, which appears as disinterest.

Types of Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia symptoms vary based on the type of schizophrenia. For example, a person with paranoid schizophrenia has constant feelings of being watched or persecuted. A person with undifferentiated schizophrenia lacks motivation and social interests and is emotionally unresponsive. A person with disorganized schizophrenia is incoherent, but does not have delusions.

Signs of Schizophrenia

In its early stages, schizophrenia may go unnoticed. Symptoms of schizophrenia in the early stages may include social withdrawal, lack of concentration, sleeplessness, tension and a change in personality.

As the schizophrenia progresses, schizophrenia symptoms become more intense and the person's behavior is often bizarre. Schizophrenia sufferers may believe that others can hear their thoughts or control their actions. In addition to delusions, hallucinations are common. The individual with schizophrenia may not only see things that aren't there, but also imagine smelling or feeling things.

Individuals with schizophrenia often become socially withdrawn. Schizophrenia may cause them to show a lack of motivation or emotion, or they may become preoccupied with one thing to the point of obsession. Thinking is frequently disordered and the person suffering from schizophrenia is likely to say things that make no sense.

People with schizophrenia go through periods of remission, often going for a long time without symptoms of the disease before having a relapse.

Helping Someone Find Treatment For Schizophrenia

If you recognize schizophrenia symptoms in someone you know, do something about it. Seek schizophrenia treatment immediately. For help, contact Walden Behavioral Care at 781-647-6700 or Info@waldenbehavioralcare.com.