Signs of Schizophrenia
Symptoms of Schizophrenia
The list of medical symptoms mentioned in various sources
for Schizophrenia may include:
List of 22
Schizophrenia Symptoms
Note that Schizophrenia symptoms usually refers to various medical symptoms known to a patient,
but the phrase Schizophrenia signs may often refer to those signs
that are only noticable by a doctor.
Signs or Symptoms of Schizophrenia:
Medications: NIMH (Excerpt)
People with
psychosis may hear "voices" or have strange and illogical ideas (for
example, thinking that others can hear their thoughts, or are trying to
harm them, or that they are the President of the United States or some
other famous person). They may get excited or angry for no apparent
reason, or spend a lot of time by themselves, or in bed, sleeping during
the day and staying awake at night. The person may neglect appearance, not
bathing or changing clothes, and may be hard to talk to--barely talking or
saying things that make no sense. They often are initially unaware that
their condition is an illness. (Source: excerpt from Medications: NIMH)
Schizophrenia Research at the NIMH: NIMH (Excerpt)
The
illness, which may impair a person's ability to manage emotions, interact
with others, and think clearly, typically develops in the late teens or
early twenties. Symptoms include hallucinations, delusions, disordered
thinking, and social withdrawal. (Source: excerpt from Schizophrenia Research at the NIMH: NIMH)
Schizophrenia: NIMH (Excerpt)
People with schizophrenia often suffer
terrifying symptoms such as hearing internal voices not heard by others,
or believing that other people are reading their minds, controlling their
thoughts, or plotting to harm them. These symptoms may leave them fearful
and withdrawn. Their speech and behavior can be so disorganized that they
may be incomprehensible or frightening to others. (Source: excerpt from Schizophrenia: NIMH)
Schizophrenia: NIMH (Excerpt)
The first signs of schizophrenia often appear as confusing, or even
shocking, changes in behavior. Coping with the symptoms of schizophrenia
can be especially difficult for family members who remember how involved
or vivacious a person was before they became ill. The sudden onset of
severe psychotic symptoms is referred to as an “acute” phase of
schizophrenia. “Psychosis,” a common condition in schizophrenia, is a
state of mental impairment marked by hallucinations, which are
disturbances of sensory perception, and/or delusions, which are false yet
strongly held personal beliefs that result from an inability to separate
real from unreal experiences. Less obvious symptoms, such as social
isolation or withdrawal, or unusual speech, thinking, or behavior, may
precede, be seen along with, or follow the psychotic symptoms.
Some people have only one such psychotic episode; others have many
episodes during a lifetime, but lead relatively normal lives during the
interim periods. However, the individual with “chronic” schizophrenia, or
a continuous or recurring pattern of illness, often does not fully recover
normal functioning and typically requires long-term treatment, generally
including medication, to control the symptoms. (Source: excerpt from Schizophrenia: NIMH)
Schizophrenia: NIMH (Excerpt)
People with schizophrenia may have perceptions of reality that are
strikingly different from the reality seen and shared by others around
them. Living in a world distorted by hallucinations and delusions,
individuals with schizophrenia may feel frightened, anxious, and confused.
In part because of the unusual realities they experience, people with
schizophrenia may behave very differently at various times. Sometimes they
may seem distant, detached, or preoccupied and may even sit as rigidly as
a stone, not moving for hours or uttering a sound. Other times they may
move about constantly – always occupied, appearing wide-awake, vigilant,
and alert.
(Source: excerpt from Schizophrenia: NIMH)
Schizophrenia: NIMH (Excerpt)
Hallucinations and illusions are disturbances of perception that are
common in people suffering from schizophrenia. Hallucinations are
perceptions that occur without connection to an appropriate source.
Although hallucinations can occur in any sensory form – auditory (sound),
visual (sight), tactile (touch), gustatory (taste), and olfactory (smell)
– hearing voices that other people do not hear is the most common type of
hallucination in schizophrenia. Voices may describe the patient’s
activities, carry on a conversation, warn of impending dangers, or even
issue orders to the individual. Illusions, on the other hand, occur when a
sensory stimulus is present but is incorrectly interpreted by the
individual.
(Source: excerpt from Schizophrenia: NIMH)
Schizophrenia: NIMH (Excerpt)
Delusions are false personal beliefs that are not subject to reason or
contradictory evidence and are not explained by a person’s usual cultural
concepts. Delusions may take on different themes. For example, patients
suffering from paranoid-type symptoms – roughly one-third of people with
schizophrenia – often have delusions of persecution, or false and
irrational beliefs that they are being cheated, harassed, poisoned, or
conspired against. These patients may believe that they, or a member of
the family or someone close to them, are the focus of this persecution. In
addition, delusions of grandeur, in which a person may believe he or she
is a famous or important figure, may occur in schizophrenia. Sometimes the
delusions experienced by people with schizophrenia are quite bizarre; for
instance, believing that a neighbor is controlling their behavior with
magnetic waves; that people on television are directing special messages
to them; or that their thoughts are being broadcast aloud to others.
(Source: excerpt from Schizophrenia: NIMH)
Schizophrenia: NIMH (Excerpt)
Schizophrenia often affects a person’s ability to “think straight.”
Thoughts may come and go rapidly; the person may not be able to
concentrate on one thought for very long and may be easily distracted,
unable to focus attention.
People with schizophrenia may not be able to sort out what is relevant
and what is not relevant to a situation. The person may be unable to
connect thoughts into logical sequences, with thoughts becoming
disorganized and fragmented. This lack of logical continuity of thought,
termed “thought disorder,” can make conversation very difficult and may
contribute to social isolation. If people cannot make sense of what an
individual is saying, they are likely to become uncomfortable and tend to
leave that person alone.
(Source: excerpt from Schizophrenia: NIMH)
Schizophrenia: NIMH (Excerpt)
People with schizophrenia often show “blunted” or “flat” affect. This
refers to a severe reduction in emotional expressiveness. A person with
schizophrenia may not show the signs of normal emotion, perhaps may speak
in a monotonous voice, have diminished facial expressions, and appear
extremely apathetic. The person may withdraw socially, avoiding contact
with others; and when forced to interact, he or she may have nothing to
say, reflecting “impoverished thought.” Motivation can be greatly
decreased, as can interest in or enjoyment of life. In some severe cases,
a person can spend entire days doing nothing at all, even neglecting basic
hygiene. These problems with emotional expression and motivation, which
may be extremely troubling to family members and friends, are symptoms of
schizophrenia – not character flaws or personal weaknesses.
(Source: excerpt from Schizophrenia: NIMH)
Schizophrenia: NIMH (Excerpt)
There is a common notion that schizophrenia is the same as "split
personality” – a Dr. Jekyll-Mr. Hyde switch in character.
This is not correct. (Source: excerpt from Schizophrenia: NIMH)
More Symptoms of Schizophrenia:
More detailed symptom information may be found on the symptoms of Schizophrenia article.
In addition to the above medical information, to get a full picture
of the possible signs or symptoms of this condition
and also possibly the signs and symptoms of its related medical conditions,
it may be necessary to examine symptoms
that may be
caused by:
Medical articles on signs and symptoms:
These general reference articles may be related
to medical signs and symptoms of disease in general:
What are the signs of Schizophrenia?
The phrase "signs of Schizophrenia" should, strictly speaking,
refer only to those signs and symptoms of Schizophrenia that are not readily apparent to the patient.
The word "symptoms of Schizophrenia" is the more general meaning; see symptoms of Schizophrenia.
The signs and symptom information on this page
attempts to provide a list of some possible signs and symptoms of Schizophrenia.
This medical information about signs and symptoms for Schizophrenia has been gathered
from various sources,
may not be fully accurate,
and may not be the full list of Schizophrenia signs or Schizophrenia symptoms.
Furthermore, signs and symptoms of Schizophrenia may vary on an individual basis for each patient.
Only your doctor can provide adequate diagnosis of any signs or symptoms and whether they
are indeed Schizophrenia symptoms.
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» Next page: Complications of Schizophrenia
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