Play the above video to understand Schizophrenia basics
Symptoms & Diagnosis of Schizophrenia
Schizophrenia is a complex mental health disorder that affects how a person thinks, feels, and behaves. Understanding its symptoms and diagnosis is essential for early detection, effective treatment, and better outcomes.
Core Symptoms of Schizophrenia
Symptoms are generally categorized into three main groups: positive symptoms, negative symptoms, and cognitive symptoms.
A. Positive Symptoms
(Not “good” symptoms — rather, these are “added” experiences that are not present in healthy individuals)
People with schizophrenia often experience:
Hallucinations : Hearing, seeing, smelling, or feeling things that are not real – Most common: auditory hallucinations (hearing voices).
Delusions : Strongly held false beliefs that are not based in reality. Examples: Believing one is being watched, controlled, or has special powers.
Disorganized Thinking (Speech): : Difficulty organizing thoughts, jumping from topic to topic, or speaking incoherently.
Disorganized or Abnormal Motor Behavior : Restlessness, unusual movements, or unpredictable emotional responses. In severe cases, catatonia (lack of movement or response) may occur.
B. Negative Symptoms
(These involve loss or reduction of normal functions) Or, These are reductions or losses of normal abilities, often mistaken for depression or laziness.
People with schizophrenia often experience:
Flat Affect : Reduced expression of emotions in face, voice, and body language.
Anhedonia : Loss of interest or ability to experience pleasure. Inability to experience pleasure from normally enjoyable activities.
Avolition : Loss of motivation to start or continue purposeful tasks.
Reduced Speech (Alogia) : Speaking less, even when required.
Social Withdrawal : Avoiding social interactions and activities.
C. Cognitive Symptoms
These affect thinking skills and make daily functioning challenging. (These affect thinking and memory)
People with schizophrenia often experience:
Poor Concentration : Easily distracted or unable to focus.
Memory Problems : Trouble remembering things or following instructions.
Impaired Executive Function : Difficulty planning, making decisions, or solving problems.
Early Warning Signs
Before full symptoms appear, there may be a prodromal phase lasting weeks or months.
Or (Schizophrenia often develops gradually, and early signs (prodromal symptoms) may appear before full psychotic symptoms.)
Prodromal Phase
(Not “good” symptoms — rather, these are “added” experiences that are not present in healthy individuals)
People with schizophrenia often experience:
- Withdrawal from social life.
- Decline in academic or work performance.
- Suspiciousness or unusual thoughts.
- Difficulty managing emotions.
- Neglect of personal hygiene.
The Diagnosis Process
Schizophrenia diagnosis is clinical — based on medical history, observed behavior, and reported symptoms. There is no single blood test or brain scan that can confirm it. The process usually involves:
D. Observation & Assessment Tools
PANSS (Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale) – Measures severity.
BPRS (Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale) – Rates psychiatric symptoms.
Diagnosis
(Not “good” symptoms — rather, these are “added” experiences that are not present in healthy individuals)
When diagnosis schizophrenia often doing:
A. Medical Evaluation
Rule out physical causes: Brain injury, neurological disorders, substance abuse, or medical conditions.
- Lab tests & imaging: May include MRI, CT scan, or blood tests to exclude other illnesses.
B. Psychiatric Assessment
Interview: Mental health professionals talk with the patient about thoughts, feelings, and behavior patterns.
- Observation: Clinicians watch for patterns of disorganized speech, movement, and interactions.
- Collateral Information: Input from family members or friends to understand changes in behavior.
C. Diagnostic Criteria
According to DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edition):
A person must have two or more core symptoms (e.g., delusions, hallucinations, disorganized speech) for at least one month, with signs persisting for six months.
Why Early Diagnosis Matters
Early detection and intervention can:
Improve treatment effectiveness, Reduce the severity of symptoms, Help maintain social and work functioning, Increase chances of long-term recovery.
Recovery from schizophrenia is possible – every step forward brings hope and healing.
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