The most defining sign that a person has schizophrenia. What is schizophrenia and how does it manifest itself. Signs of schizophrenic disorder at the premorbid stage
![The most defining sign that a person has schizophrenia. What is schizophrenia and how does it manifest itself. Signs of schizophrenic disorder at the premorbid stage](https://i1.wp.com/tiensmed.ru/news/uimg/d2/shizofreniks1-mn5.jpg)
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General characteristics of schizophrenia
Schizophrenia is a disease that belongs to the group of endogenous psychoses, since its causes are due to various changes in the functioning of the body, that is, they are not associated with any external factors. This means that the symptoms of schizophrenia do not arise in response to external stimuli (as in neurosis, hysteria, psychological complexes, etc.), but on their own. This is the fundamental difference between schizophrenia and other mental disorders.At its core, it is a chronic disease in which a disorder of thinking and perception of any phenomena of the surrounding world develops against the background of a preserved level of intelligence. That is, a person with schizophrenia is not necessarily mentally retarded, his intelligence, like that of all other people, can be low, medium, high, and even very high. Moreover, in history there are many examples of brilliant people who suffered from schizophrenia, for example, Bobby Fischer - world chess champion, mathematician John Nash, who received the Nobel Prize, etc. The story of John Nash's life and illness was brilliantly told in A Beautiful Mind.
That is, schizophrenia is not dementia and a simple abnormality, but a specific, very special disorder of thinking and perception. The term "schizophrenia" itself consists of two words: schizo - split and phrenia - mind, reason. The final translation of the term into Russian may sound like "split consciousness" or "split consciousness". That is, schizophrenia is when a person has a normal memory and intellect, all his senses (vision, hearing, smell, taste and touch) work correctly, even the brain perceives all information about the environment as it should, but consciousness (the cortex brain) processes all this data incorrectly.
For example, human eyes see the green leaves of trees. This picture is transmitted to the brain, assimilated by it and transmitted to the cortex, where the process of comprehending the received information takes place. As a result, a normal person, having received information about green leaves on a tree, comprehends it and concludes that the tree is alive, it is summer outside, there is a shadow under the crown, etc. And with schizophrenia, a person is not able to comprehend information about green leaves on a tree, in accordance with the normal laws inherent in our world. This means that when he sees green leaves, he will think that someone is painting them, or that this is some kind of signal for aliens, or that he needs to pick them all, etc. Thus, it is obvious that in schizophrenia there is a disorder of consciousness, which is not able to form an objective picture from the available information based on the laws of our world. As a result, a person has a distorted picture of the world, created precisely by his consciousness from the initially correct signals received by the brain from the senses.
It is because of such a specific disturbance of consciousness, when a person has both knowledge, and ideas, and correct information from the senses, but the final conclusion is made with the chaotic use of their functionals, the disease was called schizophrenia, that is, the splitting of consciousness.
Schizophrenia - symptoms and signs
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First, you should know that schizophrenia is characterized by symptoms and signs. Symptoms are understood as strictly defined manifestations characteristic of the disease, such as delusions, hallucinations, etc. And signs of schizophrenia are four areas of human brain activity in which there are violations.
Signs of schizophrenia
So, the signs of schizophrenia include the following effects (Bluyler's tetrad, four A):Associative defect - is expressed in the absence of logical thinking in the direction of any ultimate goal of reasoning or dialogue, as well as in the resulting poverty of speech, in which there are no additional, spontaneous components. Currently, this effect is called briefly - alogia. Let's consider this effect with an example in order to clearly understand what psychiatrists mean by this term.
So, imagine that a woman is riding a trolley bus and her friend enters at one of the stops. A conversation ensues. One of the women asks the other: "Where are you going?" The second replies: "I want to visit my sister, she is a little sick, I'm going to visit her." This is an example of the response of a normal person who does not suffer from schizophrenia. In this case, in the response of the second woman, the phrases “I want to visit my sister” and “she is a little sick” are examples of additional spontaneous speech components that were said in accordance with the logic of the discussion. That is, the only answer to the question of where she is going is the "to her sister" part. But the woman, logically thinking of other questions of the discussion, immediately answers why she is going to her sister (“I want to visit because she is sick”).
If the second woman to whom the question was addressed was a schizophrenic, then the dialogue would be as follows:
- Where are you driving?
- To Sister.
- For what?
- I want to visit.
Did something happen to her or just like that?
- It happened.
- What's happened? Something serious?
- Got sick.
Such a dialogue with monosyllabic and non-expanded answers is typical for the participants in the discussion, among whom one is ill with schizophrenia. That is, with schizophrenia, a person does not think out the following possible questions in accordance with the logic of the discussion and does not answer them immediately in one sentence, as if ahead of them, but gives monosyllabic answers that require further numerous clarifications.
Autism- is expressed in distraction from the real world around and immersion in one's inner world. A person's interests are sharply limited, he performs the same actions and does not respond to various stimuli from the outside world. In addition, a person does not interact with others and is not able to build normal communication.
Ambivalence
- is expressed in the presence of completely opposite opinions, experiences and feelings regarding the same object or object. For example, in schizophrenia, a person may simultaneously love and hate ice cream, running, etc.
Depending on the nature of ambivalence, there are three types of it - emotional, volitional and intellectual. So, emotional ambivalence is expressed in the simultaneous presence of the opposite feeling towards people, events or objects (for example, parents can love and hate children, etc.). Volitional ambivalence is expressed in the presence of endless hesitation when it is necessary to make a choice. Intellectual ambivalence consists in the presence of diametrically opposed and mutually exclusive ideas.
affective inadequacy - is expressed in a completely inadequate reaction to various events and actions. For example, when a person sees a drowning person, he laughs, and when he receives some kind of good news, he cries, etc. In general, affect is an external expression of an internal experience of mood. Accordingly, affective disorders are external manifestations that do not correspond to internal sensory experiences (fear, joy, sadness, pain, happiness, etc.), such as: laughter in response to the experience of fear, fun in grief, etc.
These pathological effects are signs of schizophrenia and cause changes in the personality of a person who becomes unsociable, withdrawn, loses interest in objects or events that previously worried him, commits ridiculous acts, etc. In addition, a person may have new hobbies that were previously completely atypical for him. As a rule, philosophical or orthodox religious teachings, fanaticism in following an idea (for example, vegetarianism, etc.) become such new hobbies in schizophrenia. As a result of the restructuring of a person's personality, the working capacity and the degree of his socialization are significantly reduced.
In addition to these signs, there are also symptoms of schizophrenia, which include single manifestations of the disease. The whole set of symptoms of schizophrenia is divided into the following large groups:
- Positive (productive) symptoms;
- Negative (deficiency) symptoms;
- Disorganized (cognitive) symptoms;
- Affective (mood) symptoms.
Positive symptoms of schizophrenia
Positive symptoms include symptoms that a healthy person did not previously have and they appeared only with the development of schizophrenia. That is, in this case, the word "positive" is not used in the sense of "good", but only reflects the fact that something new has appeared. That is, there was a certain increase in the qualities inherent in man.Positive symptoms of schizophrenia include:
- Rave;
- hallucinations;
- Illusions;
- A state of arousal;
- Inappropriate behaviour.
Hallucinations are a violation of the perception of the surrounding reality with the help of the senses. That is, hallucinations are understood as certain sensations that do not exist in reality. Hallucinations are divided into auditory, visual, olfactory, tactile and gustatory depending on which sense organ they affect. In addition, hallucinations can be simple (individual sounds, noise, phrases, flashes, etc.) or complex (coherent speech, certain scenes, etc.).
The most common are auditory hallucinations, when a person hears voices in his head or in the world around him, sometimes it seems to him that the thoughts were not produced by him, but put into the brain, etc. Voices and thoughts can give commands, advise something, discuss events, speak vulgarities, make you laugh, etc.
Visual hallucinations develop less frequently and, as a rule, in combination with hallucinations of other types - tactile, gustatory, etc. It is the combination of several types of hallucinations that gives a person a substrate for their subsequent delusional interpretation. So, some discomfort in the genital area is interpreted as a sign of rape, pregnancy or illness.
It should be understood that for a patient with schizophrenia, his hallucinations are not a figment of the imagination, but he really feels it all. That is, he sees aliens, atmospheric control threads, smells of roses from the cat litter and other non-existent things.
Rave is a collection of certain beliefs, conclusions or conclusions that are completely untrue. Delusions can be independent or provoked by hallucinations. Depending on the nature of beliefs, delusions of persecution, influence, power, greatness or attitude are distinguished.
The most common delusion of persecution develops, in which it seems to a person that someone is pursuing him, for example, aliens, parents, children, policemen, etc. Every minor event in the surrounding space seems to be a sign of surveillance, for example, tree branches swaying in the wind are perceived as a sign of observers sitting in ambush. The met person in glasses is perceived as a messenger who goes to report on all his movements, etc.
Delusions of influence are also very common and are characterized by the idea that a person is being affected by some negative or positive effect, for example, DNA rearrangement, radiation, suppression of the will by psychotropic weapons, medical experiments, etc. In addition, with this form of delusion, a person is sure that someone controls his internal organs, body and thoughts, putting them directly into the head. However, the delirium of influence may not have such vivid forms, but disguise itself as forms that are quite similar to reality. For example, a person each time gives a piece of cut sausage to a cat or dog, because he is sure that they want to poison him.
The delusion of dysmorphophobia is a strong belief in the presence of shortcomings that need to be corrected, for example, to straighten protruding ribs, etc. The delusion of reformism is the constant invention of some new powerful devices or systems of relationships that in reality are not viable.
Inappropriate behavior represents either naive stupidity, or strong agitation, or manners and appearance inappropriate for the situation. Typical variants of inappropriate behavior include depersonalization and derealization. Depersonalization is a blurring of the boundaries between self and non-self, as a result of which one’s own thoughts, internal organs and body parts seem to a person not their own, but brought from outside, random people are perceived by relatives, etc. Derealization is characterized by an increased perception of any minor details, colors, smells, sounds, etc. Because of this perception, it seems to a person that everything is not happening for real, and people, like in a theater, play roles.
The most severe variant of inappropriate behavior is catatonia, in which a person takes awkward postures or randomly moves. Clumsy poses are usually taken by a person in a stupor and hold them for a very long time. Any attempt to change his position is useless, because he has a resistance that is almost impossible to overcome, because schizophrenics have incredible muscle strength. A special case of awkward postures is wax flexibility, which is characterized by holding any part of the body in one position for a long time. When excited, a person begins to jump, run, dance and make other meaningless movements.
Also referred to as inappropriate behavior hebephrenia- excessive foolishness, laughter, etc. A person laughs, jumps, laughs and performs other similar actions, regardless of the situation and location.
Negative symptoms of schizophrenia
The negative symptoms of schizophrenia are the disappearance or significantly reduced previously existing functions. That is, before the disease, a person had some qualities, and after the development of schizophrenia, they either disappeared or became much less pronounced.In general, the negative symptoms of schizophrenia are described as loss of energy and motivation, reduced activity, lack of initiative, poverty of thought and speech, physical passivity, emotional poverty, and narrowing of interests. A patient with schizophrenia appears passive, indifferent to what is happening, taciturn, motionless, etc.
However, with a more accurate selection of symptoms, the following are considered negative:
- Passivity;
- Loss of will;
- Complete indifference to the outside world (apathy);
- Autism;
- Minimal expression of emotions;
- Flattened affect;
- Inhibited, sluggish and mean movements;
- Speech disorders;
- Disorders of thought;
- Inability to make decisions;
- Inability to maintain a normal coherent dialogue;
- Low ability to concentrate;
- Rapid exhaustion;
- Lack of motivation and lack of initiative;
- mood swings;
- Difficulty in constructing an algorithm for sequential actions;
- Difficulty in finding a solution to the problem;
- Poor self-control;
- Difficulty switching from one activity to another;
- Ahedonism (inability to experience pleasure).
The speech of a person suffering from schizophrenia is characterized by the following features:
- Constant jumping on various topics;
- The use of new, invented words that are understandable only to the person himself;
- Repetition of words, phrases or sentences;
- Rhyming - speaking in meaningless rhyming words;
- Incomplete or jerky responses to questions;
- Sudden silences due to blockage of thoughts (sperrung);
- The influx of thoughts (mentism), expressed in rapid incoherent speech.
Autism is a detachment of a person from the outside world and immersion in his own little world. In this state, the schizophrenic seeks to withdraw from contact with other people and live in solitude.
Various disorders of will, motivation, initiative, memory and attention are collectively referred to as depletion of energy potential , since a person quickly gets tired, cannot perceive a new one, analyzes the totality of events poorly, etc. All this leads to a sharp decrease in the productivity of his activity, as a result of which, as a rule, his ability to work is lost. In some cases, a super-valuable idea is formed in a person, which consists in the need to preserve strength, and manifests itself in a very careful attitude towards one's own person.
Emotions in schizophrenia become weakly expressed, and their spectrum is very poor, which is usually called flattened affect . First, a person loses responsiveness, compassion and the ability to empathize, as a result of which the schizophrenic becomes selfish, indifferent and cruel. In response to various life situations, a person can react in a completely atypical and incongruous way, for example, be absolutely indifferent to the death of a child or take offense at an insignificant action, word, look, etc. Very often, a person can experience deep affection and obey any one close person.
With the progression of schizophrenia, a flattened affect can take on peculiar forms. For example, a person can become eccentric, explosive, unrestrained, conflictual, spiteful and aggressive, or, on the contrary, acquire complaisance, euphoric high spirits, stupidity, lack of criticism of actions, etc. With any variant of a flattened affect, a person becomes sloppy and prone to gluttony and masturbation.
Violations of thinking are manifested by illogical reasoning, incorrect interpretation of everyday things. Descriptions and reasoning are characterized by the so-called symbolism, in which real concepts are replaced by completely different ones. However, in the understanding of patients with schizophrenia, it is these concepts that do not correspond to reality that are symbols of some real things. For example, a person walks naked, but explains it this way - nudity is needed to remove a person’s stupid thoughts. That is, in his thinking and consciousness, nudity is a symbol of liberation from stupid thoughts.
A special variant of thought disorder is reasoning, which consists in constant empty reasoning on abstract topics. Moreover, the ultimate goal of reasoning is completely absent, which makes them meaningless. In severe schizophrenia, it can develop schizophasia, representing the pronunciation of unrelated words. Often these words are combined by patients into sentences, observing the correctness of cases, but they do not have any lexical (semantic) connection.
With the predominance of negative symptoms of depression of the will, the schizophrenic easily falls under the influence of various sects, criminal groups, asocial elements, obeying their leaders implicitly. However, a person may retain a will that allows him to perform some senseless action to the detriment of normal work and social intercourse. For example, a schizophrenic can draw up a detailed plan of a cemetery with the designation of each grave, count the number of any letters in a particular literary work, etc.
Anhedonia represents the loss of the ability to enjoy anything. So, a person cannot eat with pleasure, take a walk in the park, etc. That is, against the background of anhedonia, a schizophrenic, in principle, cannot enjoy even those actions, objects or events that previously gave him it.
Disorganized symptoms
Disorganized symptoms are a special case of productive ones, since they include chaotic speech, thinking and behavior.affective symptoms
Affective symptoms are various options for lowering mood, for example, depression, suicidal thoughts, self-blame, self-flagellation, etc.Typical syndromes characteristic of schizophrenia
These syndromes are formed only from positive or negative symptoms and represent the most common combinations of manifestations of schizophrenia. In other words, each syndrome is a collection of the most frequently combined individual symptoms.So, The typical positive syndromes of schizophrenia include the following:
- hallucinatory-paranoid syndrome - characterized by a combination of unsystematic delusions (most often persecution), verbal hallucinations and mental automatism (repetitive actions, a feeling that someone controls thoughts and body parts, that everything is not real, etc.). All symptoms are perceived by the patient as something real. There is no sense of artificiality.
- Kandinsky-Clerambault Syndrome - refers to a variety of hallucinatory-paranoid syndrome and is characterized by the feeling that all visions and disorders of a person are violent, that someone created them for him (for example, aliens, Gods, etc.). That is, it seems to a person that thoughts are put into his head, internal organs, actions, words and other things are controlled. Periodically there are episodes of mentism (an influx of thoughts), alternating with periods of withdrawal of thoughts. As a rule, there is a completely systematized delusion of persecution and influence, in which a person explains with complete conviction why he was chosen, what they want to do to him, etc. A schizophrenic with the Kandinsky-Clerambault syndrome believes that he does not control himself, but is a puppet in the hands of persecutors and evil forces.
- paraphrenic syndrome - characterized by a combination of delusions of persecution, hallucinations, affective disorders and the Kandinsky-Clerambault syndrome. Along with the ideas of persecution, a person has a clear conviction of his own power and power over the world, as a result of which he considers himself the ruler of all the Gods, the solar system, etc. Under the influence of his own delusional ideas, a person can tell others that he will create a paradise, change the climate, transfer humanity to another planet, etc. The schizophrenic himself feels himself in the center of grandiose, supposedly ongoing events. An affective disorder consists in a constantly high mood up to a manic state.
- Capgras syndrome- is characterized by the delusional idea that people can change their appearance to achieve any goals.
- Affective paranoid syndrome - characterized by depression, delusions of persecution, self-accusations and hallucinations with a vivid accusatory character. In addition, this syndrome can be characterized by a combination of megalomania, noble birth and hallucinations of a laudatory, glorifying and approving character.
- catatonic syndrome - characterized by freezing in a certain position (catalepsy), giving parts of the body some uncomfortable position and maintaining it for a long time (waxy mobility), as well as strong resistance to any attempts to change the adopted position. Mutism can also be noted - dumbness with a preserved speech apparatus. Any external factors, such as cold, humidity, hunger, thirst and others, cannot force a person to change the absent facial expression with almost completely absent facial expressions. In contrast to being frozen in a certain position, arousal may appear, characterized by impulsive, senseless, frivolous and campy movements.
- hebephrenic syndrome - characterized by foolish behavior, laughter, mannerisms, making faces, lisping, impulsive actions and paradoxical emotional reactions. Perhaps a combination with hallucinatory-paranoid and catatonic syndromes.
- Depersonalization-derealization syndrome - is characterized by feelings of painful and extremely unpleasant experience about changes in one's own personality and the behavior of the surrounding world, which the patient cannot explain.
Typical negative syndromes of schizophrenia are as follows:
- Thinking Disorder Syndrome - manifested by diversity, fragmentation, symbolism, blockage of thinking and reasoning. The diversity of thinking is manifested by the fact that insignificant features of things and events are perceived by a person as the most important. At the same time, the speech is detailed with a description of the details, but vague and unclear in relation to the general main idea of the patient's monologue. The fragmentation of speech is manifested by the fact that a person builds sentences from words and phrases that are unrelated in meaning, which, however, are grammatically connected by correct cases, prepositions, etc. A person cannot complete a thought, because he constantly deviates from a given topic by associations, jumps to other topics, or begins to compare something incomparable. In severe cases, the fragmentation of thinking is manifested by a stream of unrelated words (verbal okroshka). Symbolism is the use of a term as a symbolic designation of a completely different concept, thing or event. For example, with the word stool, the patient symbolically denotes his legs, etc. Blockage of thinking is a sharp break in the thread of thought or loss of the topic of conversation. In speech, this is manifested by the fact that a person begins to say something, but abruptly stops, without even finishing a sentence or phrase. Reasoning is fruitless, lengthy, empty, but numerous reasoning. In speech, a patient with schizophrenia can use his own invented words.
- Syndrome of emotional disorders - characterized by the extinction of reactions and coldness, as well as the appearance of ambivalence. People lose emotional ties with loved ones, losing compassion, pity and other similar manifestations, becoming cold, cruel and insensitive. Gradually, as the disease develops, emotions disappear completely. However, not always in a patient with schizophrenia, who does not show emotions in any way, those are completely absent. In some cases, a person has a rich emotional spectrum and is extremely burdened by the fact that he is not able to express it fully. Ambivalence is the simultaneous presence of opposite thoughts and emotions in relation to the same object. The consequence of ambivalence is the inability to make a final decision and make a choice from the possible options.
- Will disorder syndrome (aboulia or hypobulia) - characterized by apathy, lethargy and lack of energy. Such disorders of the will cause a person to be fenced off from the outside world and become isolated in himself. With strong violations of the will, a person becomes passive, indifferent, without initiative, etc. Most often, will disorders are combined with those in the emotional sphere, so they are often combined into one group and called emotional-volitional disorders. In each individual person, volitional or emotional disturbances may predominate in the clinical picture of schizophrenia.
- Personality Change Syndrome is the result of the progression and deepening of all negative symptoms. A person becomes mannered, absurd, cold, withdrawn, uncommunicative and paradoxical.
Symptoms of schizophrenia in men, women, children and adolescents
Schizophrenia at any age in both sexes manifests itself with exactly the same symptoms and syndromes, in fact, without any significant features. The only thing to consider when determining the symptoms of schizophrenia is the age norms and characteristics of people's thinking.The first symptoms of schizophrenia (initial, early)
Schizophrenia usually develops gradually, that is, some symptoms first appear, and then they intensify and are supplemented by others. The initial manifestations of schizophrenia are called symptoms of the first group, which include the following:- Speech disorders. As a rule, a person begins to answer any questions in monosyllables, even those where a detailed answer is required. In other cases, it cannot exhaustively answer the question posed. It is rare that a person is able to answer a question in full, but he speaks slowly at the same time.
- Anhedonia- the inability to enjoy any activities that previously fascinated a person. For example, before the onset of schizophrenia, a person liked to embroider, but after the onset of the disease, this activity does not fascinate him at all and does not give pleasure.
- Weak expression or complete absence of emotions. The person does not look into the eyes of the interlocutor, the face is expressionless, it does not reflect any emotions and feelings.
- Failure to complete any task because the person does not see the point in it. For example, a schizophrenic does not brush his teeth because he does not see the point in it, because they will get dirty again, etc.
- Weak focus on any subject.
Symptoms of different types of schizophrenia
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1. paranoid schizophrenia;
2. catatonic schizophrenia;
3. Hebephrenic (disorganized) schizophrenia;
4. undifferentiated schizophrenia;
5. Residual schizophrenia;
6. Post-schizophrenic depression;
7. Simple (mild) schizophrenia.
Paranoid (paranoid) schizophrenia
A person has delusions and hallucinations, but normal thinking and adequate behavior will remain. The emotional sphere at the beginning of the disease also does not suffer. Delusions and hallucinations form paranoid, paraphrenic syndromes, as well as the Kandinsky-Clerambault syndrome. At the beginning of the disease, delusions are systemic, but as schizophrenia progresses, it becomes fragmentary and incoherent. Also, as the disease progresses, a syndrome of emotional-volitional disorders appears.Catatonic schizophrenia
The clinical picture is dominated by movement and behavioral disturbances, which are combined with hallucinations and delusions. If schizophrenia proceeds paroxysmal, then catatonic disorders are combined with oneiroid(a special state in which a person, on the basis of vivid hallucinations, experiences battles of the titans, intergalactic flights, etc.).Hebephrenic schizophrenia
The clinical picture is dominated by impaired thinking and a syndrome of emotional disorders. A person becomes fussy, foolish, mannered, talkative, prone to reasoning, his mood is constantly changing. Hallucinations and delusions are rare and ridiculous.Simple (mild) schizophrenia
Negative symptoms predominate, and attacks of hallucinations and delusions are relatively rare. Schizophrenia begins with the loss of vital interests, as a result of which a person does not strive for anything, but simply wanders aimlessly and idly. As the disease progresses, activity decreases, apathy develops, emotions are lost, speech becomes poor. Productivity at work or school drops to zero. There are very few or no hallucinations or delusions.Undifferentiated schizophrenia
Undifferentiated schizophrenia is characterized by a combined manifestation of symptoms of paranoid, hebephrenic and catatonic types of the disease.Residual schizophrenia
Residual schizophrenia is characterized by the presence of slightly pronounced positive syndromes.Post-schizophrenic depression
Post-schizophrenic depression is an episode of a disease that occurs after a person has been cured of the disease.In addition to the above, some doctors additionally distinguish manic schizophrenia.
Manic schizophrenia (manic-depressive psychosis)
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Depending on the nature of the course, continuous and paroxysmal-progressive forms of schizophrenia are distinguished. In addition, in modern Russia and the former USSR, recurrent and sluggish types of schizophrenia were distinguished, which in modern classifications correspond to the terms schizoaffective and schizotypal disorder. Consider the symptoms of acute (stage of psychosis paroxysmal-progredient form), continuous and sluggish schizophrenia.
Acute schizophrenia (attacks of schizophrenia) - symptoms
The term acute is usually understood as the period of an attack (psychosis) of paroxysmal progressive schizophrenia. In general, as the name implies, this type of schizophrenia is characterized by alternating acute attacks and periods of remission. Moreover, each subsequent attack is more severe than the previous one, and after it there are irreversible consequences in the form of negative symptoms. The severity of symptoms also increases from one attack to another, and the duration of remissions is reduced. In incomplete remission, anxiety, suspicion, a delusional interpretation of any actions of people around, including relatives and friends, do not leave a person, and periodic hallucinations are also disturbing.An attack of acute schizophrenia can occur in the form of psychosis or oneiroid. Psychosis is characterized by vivid hallucinations and delusions, a complete detachment from reality, persecution mania or depressive detachment and self-absorption. Any mood swings cause changes in the nature of hallucinations and delusions.
Oneiroid is characterized by unlimited and very vivid hallucinations and delusions, which concern not only the surrounding world, but also oneself. Thus, a person imagines himself as some other object, for example, pockets, a disc player, a dinosaur, a machine that is at war with people, etc. That is, a person experiences complete depersonalization and derealization. At the same time, within the framework of the delusional-illusory representation of oneself as someone or something that has arisen in the head, whole scenes from the life or activity of that with which the person has identified himself are played out. Experienced images cause motor activity, which can be excessive or, on the contrary, catatonic.
Continuous schizophrenia
Continuous schizophrenia is characterized by a slow and constant progression of the severity of negative symptoms that are recorded constantly without periods of remission. As the disease progresses, the brightness and severity of the positive symptoms of schizophrenia decreases, but the negative ones become more and more severe.Sluggish (hidden) schizophrenia
This type of schizophrenia course has many different names, such as mild, non-psychotic, microprocessing, rudimentary, sanatorium, prephase, slow-flowing, latent, larvated, amortized, pseudo-neurotic, occult, non-regressive. The disease does not have a progredient, that is, over time, the severity of symptoms and the degradation of the personality do not increase. The clinical picture of sluggish schizophrenia differs significantly from all other types of the disease, since it does not contain delusions and hallucinations, but there are neurotic disorders, asthenia, depersonalization and derealization.Sluggish schizophrenia has the following stages:
- Debut- proceeds inconspicuously, as a rule, at puberty;
- Manifest period - characterized by clinical manifestations, the intensity of which never reaches the level of psychosis with delusions and hallucinations;
- Stabilization- complete elimination of manifest symptoms for a long period of time.
1. Verschreuben- a defect, expressed in strange behavior, eccentricity and eccentricity. The person makes uncoordinated, angular, child-like movements with a very serious facial expression. The general appearance of a person is sloppy, and the clothes are completely awkward, pretentious and ridiculous, for example, shorts and a fur coat, etc. The speech is equipped with unusual turns and is replete with descriptions of minor minor details and nuances. The productivity of physical and mental activity is preserved, that is, a person can work or study, despite the eccentricity.
2. Pseudopsychopatization - a defect expressed in a huge number of overvalued ideas with which a person literally gushes. At the same time, the individual is emotionally charged, he is interested in all those around him, whom he is trying to attract to implement countless overvalued ideas. However, the result of such vigorous activity is negligible or completely absent, therefore the productivity of the individual's activity is zero.
3. Energy potential reduction defect - expressed in the passivity of a person who is mostly at home, not wanting to do anything.
Neurosis-like schizophrenia
This variety refers to sluggish schizophrenia with neurosopod manifestations. A person is disturbed by obsessive ideas, but he is not emotionally charged to fulfill them, so he has hypochondria. Compulsions exist for a long time.Alcoholic schizophrenia - symptoms
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Alcoholic psychosis can occur in three ways:
- Delirium (delirium tremens) - occurs after the cessation of consumption of alcoholic beverages and is expressed in the fact that a person sees devils, animals, insects and other objects or living beings. In addition, a person does not understand where he is and what is happening to him.
- Hallucinosis- occurs during drinking. A person is disturbed by auditory hallucinations of a threatening or accusatory nature.
- delusional psychosis- occurs with prolonged, regular and fairly moderate alcohol consumption. It is expressed by delusions of jealousy with persecution, attempts at poisoning, etc.
Symptoms of hebephrenic, paranoid, catatonic and other types of schizophrenia - video
Schizophrenia: causes and predisposing factors, signs, symptoms and manifestations of the disease - video
Causes and symptoms of schizophrenia - video
Signs of schizophrenia (how to recognize the disease, diagnosis of schizophrenia) - video
It is multifaceted, has many symptoms, and the question of how to recognize schizophrenia has been one of the leading questions in the field of psychiatry for many decades. Known as cases of overdiagnosis, and, in fact, the opposite phenomenon, when the correct diagnosis is made with a delay.
However, at the moment, certain ones have been developed that guide specialists.
This issue is much more important for those whose relatives are in the “risk group”. After all, it is precisely the timely appeal to and receipt of the right one that can help to cope with a painful condition and prevent its progression.
Therefore, here we will try to consider those factors that can help in how to recognize schizophrenia at the very beginning of the disease.
Diagnosis of schizophrenia (according to ICD-10) is based on the identification of three symptomatic groups:
1. Productive symptoms
- Hallucinations: in the mind of a person there is a certain image (most often - a voice / voices), which are not in reality. The patient can listen to something, look for the source of the sound, talk to an invisible interlocutor. Voices can discuss the actions of a person, comment on his actions, give some commands. These signs occur in about half of patients with schizophrenia.
- Delusions of the most varied content: delusions of persecution, relations, influence. About 80% of patients with schizophrenia have this symptom during the course of the disease.
- Disorganization of speech and thinking: thoughts can be confused or interrupted, a person falls silent in mid-sentence and then does not remember why he began to say this or that phrase.
- The world may seem unreal, sounds and colors are distorted (derealization).
- The boundaries between the outside world and the feeling of "I" (depersonalization) are erased.
2. Negative symptoms
- cognitive impairment: disorders of attention, memory, thinking, speech;
- poverty of facial expressions and an inexpressive voice;
- passivity (lack of spontaneity, willingness to make decisions);
- autism: a person has difficulty making contact, the circle of communication and interests narrows;
- volitional regulation is disturbed: lack of initiative, apathy.
3. Mood disorders
depression with a tendency to self-blame and suicidal intentions can often occur in the initial stages of schizophrenia (unfortunately, 40% of patients make attempts during their lives);
Also allocate psychomotor manifestations, the so-called catatonia: refusal of food, silence, up to the complete absence of speech, muscle tension, up to complete immobility, a “frozen” look.
What should you pay attention to first of all?
Early in the development of the disease
- memory worsens,
- reduced concentration,
- Loss of interest in work, communication with others,
- a person longs for loneliness,
- ceases to follow the rules of hygiene and monitor their appearance,
- lack of initiative appears,
- the person becomes irritable, lethargic,
- unusual headaches appear,
- speech and motor skills begin to suffer,
- "magical thinking" appears.
Recognition of schizophrenia, especially at the very beginning, is difficult because the sick person himself does not consider himself as such. But it is very important to consult a doctor in time. Qualitative diagnosis of schizophrenia and timely treatment and rehabilitation make a person's life full.
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It must be remembered that these signs of mental abnormalities can occur in an incomplete form and with other mental pathologies. Or vice versa, in some forms of schizophrenia, there are no perceptual deceptions and delusional symptoms, and only apato-abulic syndrome is expressed - weakness of will and impoverishment of emotions. Therefore, only a psychiatrist at an internal appointment can make a correct diagnosis. And in the case of schizophrenia, you need long-term observation in a psychiatric hospital. How does schizophrenia manifest itself? At the beginning, middle and towards the end of its development, schizophrenia manifests itself in different ways. Depending on the form, the disease can begin in different ways. Paranoid and catatonic schizophrenia may manifest as an acute psychotic disorder at a fairly young age. The simple form has a gradual course and often a complete absence of delusional symptoms and hallucinations. In the presence of delusional ideas, by the middle of the illness, the delirium is systematized - the picture links the images with some kind of logic that is understandable to the patient. By the end of the disease, when there is practically no criticism of the state and there are signs of personality degradation, the delirium becomes broken, i.e. unsystematic. The complexity of the delusional content is simplified, hallucinations lose their brightness and focus. Lack of interest in the outer world leads to impoverishment of the inner world. The progression of any kind of schizophrenia sooner or later leads to the destruction of the personality, aimless existence and loss of interest, both in the world around and in oneself. The earlier drug treatment is started, the greater the likelihood of maintaining individuality and striving for social activity. PreobrazhenieCenter "Clinic Transfiguration" offers outpatient and inpatient treatment in Moscow. If necessary, you can call a psychiatrist at home. Patients can attend social and psychological rehabilitation groups and learn to understand themselves and the external space. How to identify schizophrenia in humans and animals Schizophrenia and other endogenous mental illnesses are completely absent in animals. If neurosis occurs in pets after experiencing severe stress or prolonged discomfort, then wild animals do not even have neurotic disorders. What does it say? The fact that animals are not prone to unproductive mental and physical activity. All behavior of the animal is constructive and is directed either to gain experience or to ensure its vital activity. Moreover, the presence of reason and complex emotions has been proven in higher animals. They do not have the wrong upbringing, unresolvable conflicts or eternal sadness about the lost. All questions are resolved and brought to their logical end. Lonely maladaptive animals either die or get used to a solitary existence. Sorrows are forgotten, wounds heal, bones grow together - and the beast is again activated to life. Schizophrenia definition Schizophrenia is a serious pathology of the behavioral-cognitive sphere associated with profound disturbances in relationships with oneself and the world. The change of generations transfers a certain style of behavior from generation to generation, fixing it at the gene level. In schizophrenia, thinking, attention, the area of emotions and intentions are irreversibly changed. But it is possible to smooth out the changes and learn how to manage your mental health with long-term and deep psychotherapy. Does schizophrenia occur in animals? No. And this gives us an understanding that there are no structural changes in the brain in this disease, but there is a distorted perception of oneself and the environment. This speaks for the possibility of a cure for schizophrenia. But the life of one person is not always enough to cure a birth disease. But with each new effort, the condition will stabilize, and the disease will recede. How to define schizophrenia Schizophrenia affects almost all areas of human mental activity. Diplomas from the Russian Consumer Rights Protection Fund - "The Best Clinic of Russia"A person gradually withdraws into himself, losing social contacts.
How to define a schizophrenic? The manifestation of schizophrenia can be recognized by the following parameters:
- An apathetic attitude towards oneself and the outside world is manifested in slovenliness and a strange style of clothing, lack of self-care. Patients are often unshaven with dirty hair. Loss of interest in work, disappearance of former interests, no strength and desire to acquire new experience and study.
- A schizophrenic patient stops communicating with people. Becomes more cold with friends and relatives, he does not trust people. In his delusional reasoning, he ceases to need an interlocutor.
- Thinking becomes torn and speech incoherent; phrases, although they have a formal correct construction of words, the very essence of the story is missing; neologisms are invented - new words that are completely devoid of meaning.
- Emotions are either contradictory and inadequate to the situation, or flattened. In patients with schizophrenia at the time of exacerbation, states of fading in unusual positions are possible. Mental and motor restlessness. Often moments of aggression are replaced by periods of good nature and submission. Anxiety due to the inability to control conditions leads to sleep disturbance and general anxiety. Depression in schizophrenia has no cause and is usually outwardly subtle.
- Changes in behavior are manifested by unusual hobbies, eccentricity and pretentiousness, asociality with early alcoholization, running away from school, stealing. Patients experiencing hallucinations listen to something, hide, become suspicious.
Only an experienced psychiatrist can accurately determine that there is an abnormal person in front of him. However, any of us still need to know how to recognize a schizophrenic, because this disease can affect a family member, which means it will be necessary to determine whether to seek medical help for a person close to us.
How to recognize a schizophrenic by behavior?
There are several signs by which you can understand that a loved one needs medical help. Psychiatrists advise paying attention to the following points of human behavior:
- Refusal of social contacts, the desire to constantly be in an apartment or room.
- Lack of interest in any activity. This can also be expressed in the following way - a person abruptly begins to say that he does not like anything and that he does not have any desires.
- Constant complaints and headaches can also be a sign of mental illness.
- The expression of strange and frightening ideas, such as that everything in the world is meaningless, or that everything is predetermined.
- Failure to do household chores. Sick people often do not understand why they need to clean the house, or why it is necessary to cook food.
- Neglect of personal hygiene. Often schizophrenics do not want to shower, change clothes, or wash their hair. This is especially evident in women.
- The appearance of delusions or hallucinations. This is the surest sign by which schizophrenia can be identified. But often the disease can proceed without its appearance.
Oddities in behavior will help both recognize schizophrenia and quickly seek help, which is necessary, even if it is depression, and not the already mentioned mental illness. Unfortunately, not all people know that a sudden change in a person's interests can indicate serious problems.
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How to recognize schizophrenia in men?
Men are more likely than women to suffer from this disease. You can determine the onset of the disease in a guy by the signs already listed above, they will help both to recognize schizophrenia in women and to determine it in men.
Still, you should not be scared, even if you notice all the symptoms listed above in a person close to you. Often these signs can talk about chronic fatigue or a nervous breakdown. But it is still necessary to consult a doctor. These ailments also require the intervention of a specialist, like schizophrenia.
Everyone knows the unwritten truth - the earlier the disease is diagnosed, the easier it is to treat. And schizophrenia is no exception. The only problem is that in the early stages it is very difficult to recognize schizophrenia, and only relatives of a sick person can do this, and then on condition that they know what the early signs of this disease are.
What is schizophrenia?
Schizophrenia is not one disease, but a group of different mental disorders that each person manifests differently. In the people, the disease is often called "splitting of the soul", and indeed, a sick person turns into a completely different person, which neither friends nor relatives recognize. But such changes occur already in severe cases, in the early stages, the behavior and thinking of a person changes slightly, but still causes bewilderment among those who know him.
Unfortunately, today doctors and scientists cannot say for sure what is the cause of this disease. However, this does not mean that effective treatment is impossible. One of the leading clinics for the treatment of schizophrenia in Moscow is Mental Health - the clinic has its own hospital and research laboratory. Also, the treatment of this disease is carried out by the Central Medical Health Center Alliance, the Transfiguration Clinic, and the Rosa Clinic.
Forms and symptoms: how to recognize schizophrenia?
How, after all, to recognize schizophrenia to loved ones and thereby help a suffering person? You should know the main symptoms of schizophrenia and then, noticing changes in the behavior of a loved one or close friend, you will be able to seek help in time.
So, the main signs of schizophrenia depend on its form. Paranoid schizophrenia is characterized by the occurrence of delusional states. A person who falls ill with this form of the disease is excessively suspicious, believes that there are enemies around him, and often sees hallucinations.
The depressive-paranoid form includes the previous signs and is supplemented by an oppressed state of consciousness. The patient is gnawed by anxiety and a premonition of imminent trouble.
Circulatory schizophrenia causes an increased sense of superiority, talkativeness, and agitation. Such people think that they are better than others, and that everyone around them envy them. But the signs of catatonic schizophrenia are complete apathy and inaction of a person who can stay in one position for hours or, conversely, inappropriate behavior (he can scream, sing, laugh for no reason).
The first "calls"
The above symptoms of schizophrenia become noticeable when the disease enters the active stage. However, schizophrenia can be asymptomatic for many years. More precisely, almost asymptomatic - relatives notice that something is wrong with the person.
In particular, the first call of the disease is severe headaches, panic fears, frequent mood swings, increased anxiety and aggressiveness, directed first at loved ones, and then at other people.
Relatives of the sick note that the person withdraws into himself, becomes uncommunicative, thoughtful, and at the same time very often goes into conflicts, although this has not been observed before. At first, these symptoms are temporary, but over time, moments of normal behavior become extremely rare.
The main symptom of the disease is a change in the perception of reality. If your loved one begins to “carry nonsense”, and at the same time is sure that this is the case in reality, this is a reason to immediately seek the advice of a doctor. At the same time, a private psychiatric clinic is the best choice, since in this case you are guaranteed confidentiality, professional diagnosis and competent treatment.
How to deal with a person with schizophrenia?
Any doctor will tell you that if you notice signs of schizophrenia in a loved one, you should never laugh at him or convince him that he is wrong - this can provoke aggression and inappropriate behavior. You need to listen to him and calm him down if possible, and then consult a doctor. The psychiatric clinic has the necessary conditions and medicines in order to stop an attack of schizophrenia and help the patient recover.
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How does schizophrenia manifest itself, symptoms of schizophrenia
Schizophrenia is a complex disease in which it is difficult for a person to distinguish between what is real and unreal, to think clearly, to manage emotions, to treat others objectively, and in fact it is impossible to live a normal life. But this does not mean that there is no hope in this disorder. Schizophrenia can be successfully managed. The first step is to identify the signs and symptoms. The second step is to seek help immediately, the third is to strictly adhere to the treatment. With the right treatment and support, a person with schizophrenia is able to lead a happy, almost fulfilling life.
Usually schizophrenia changes the inner world and behavior of a person. Changes in behavior may include the following:
- Social self-isolation;
- Depersonalization (feelings of unreality, being in a hazy and dreamlike state), sometimes accompanied by intense anxiety;
- Loss of appetite;
- Loss of hygiene;
- Delusions;
- hallucinations (auditory or visual, feeling like it doesn't exist);
- The senses are controlled by external forces;
- Disorganized speech.
At times, a person with schizophrenia may not look like a sick person, at other times, the illness may be more obvious, in part due to eccentric behavior. For example, the symptoms of schizophrenia in adults are quite obvious if a person wraps his head in foil in the hope that aluminum will protect thoughts from some harmful waves that are broadcast to his brain.
Schizophrenia: symptoms
Positive symptoms in the patient's behavior may come and go. You need an accurate understanding of what to expect from a schizophrenic in order to take action in time. People who have overt schizophrenia have very different symptoms, as patients differ from each other in their behavior, but at the same time, by and large, they all cannot control the disease. In the active stage, the victim unleashes a stream of illogical suggestions on others or reacts with uncontrollable anger along with violence to a perceived threat. Patients may also experience relatively passive phases of the illness, in which they seem to lack personality, movement, and emotion (called flat affect). People with schizophrenia may alternate between these extremes. Their behavior is sometimes predictable, sometimes completely sporadic.
Clustering of schizophrenia symptoms
- Negative symptomatology in schizophrenia (or deficit symptoms): Social isolation, difficulty expressing emotions (in extreme cases, the so-called blunted affect), difficulty in self-care, inability to experience pleasure. These symptoms are caused by serious mental disorders and are often mistaken for laziness.
- Cognitive symptoms: Difficulty visiting and processing information, understanding the environment and remembering simple tasks.
Fragmentation of thinking is characteristic of this mental disorder. When medical students are taught how to identify schizophrenia, they are always advised to observe the way the person speaks. Patients tend to have trouble concentrating and maintaining thoughts. They may respond to queries with an unrelated response, start sentences on one topic and end somewhere else entirely, speak incoherently, or say things that are illogical. Common signs of disorganized speech in schizophrenia include free association, rapid transition from topic to topic, with no connection of a single thought between several. Neologisms are ready-made words or phrases that only make sense to the patient. Perseveration - repetition of words and statements; saying the same thing over and over again. Pointless use of rhyme.
Useful definitions in understanding schizophrenia
Psychosis: Psychosis is defined as a feeling of detachment from reality. During this phase, one may experience delusions or severe hallucinations. People with psychosis do not know that what they are experiencing or some of the things they think are happening are not really real. Psychosis is a prominent feature of schizophrenia, but is not unique to the disease.
Schizoid Personality Disorder: This term is often used to describe a personality disorder that is characterized by an almost complete lack of interest in social relationships and a limited range of emotional expression in interpersonal settings, making the person with this disorder cold and indifferent.
Schizotypal Disorder: This term defines a personality disorder that is characterized by acute discomfort in relationships, as well as disturbances in perception, odd beliefs, and bizarre behaviors. Often people with schizotypal personality disorder are seen as unusual and eccentric due to unusual mannerisms and beliefs, and these are not uncommon symptoms of schizophrenia in women.
Hallucinations: Patients may experience too strongly objects or events that are actually real to them only. Symptoms of schizophrenia in men who have fought may include feelings of events that are real only to him. Hallucinations can also be in visual images, auditory, smell, taste or touch. Hallucinations have no external source, and are sometimes described as "brain tricks" of human tricks. Research shows that auditory hallucinations occur when people misinterpret their internal self-talk as coming from an outside source.
Illusion: An illusion is an erroneous perception for which there is an actual external stimulus. For example, a visual deception after seeing a shadow and misinterpreting it as a person. The words "illusion" and "hallucination" are sometimes confused with each other. Similar types of schizophrenia, but the symptoms are still different.
Delusion: A person with delusion has a strong belief about something despite evidence that the belief is completely false. For example, a person might listen to a radio and believe that the radio is giving a coded message about an impending alien invasion. All other people who listen to the same radio broadcast will hear, for example, an essay on road repair work taking place in the Moscow region.
Conditions that may look like schizophrenia
Medical and psychological conditions that a physician must rule out before making a diagnosis of schizophrenia include:
Other psychotic disorders - schizophrenia, if you look at its symptoms on any video, is a type of psychotic disorder, that is, it involves a significant loss of contact with reality. But there are other psychotic disorders that cause similar symptoms of psychosis, including schizoaffective disorder, schizophreniform disorder, and brief psychotic disorder. Because of the difficulty in differentiating between psychotic disorders, definitive diagnosis may take six months or longer.
Substance abuse – Many drugs can cause psychotic symptoms, including alcohol, PCP, heroin, amphetamines, and cocaine. If you want to know how schizophrenia and its symptoms begin, go on an excursion to any specialized dispensary where people are observed using these substances that kill personality and health. But some prescription drugs can also cause unwanted psychotic reactions. A toxicology screen can rule out drug-induced psychosis. If there is an understanding of the presence of substance abuse in a patient, then the doctor will determine whether the drug has become a source of symptoms or simply an aggravating factor.
Medical conditions - Schizophrenia, its symptoms can also result from certain neurological disorders (eg, epilepsy, brain tumors, and encephalitis), endocrine and metabolic disorders, and autoimmune conditions that affect the central nervous system.
Mood disorders - look like the initial stage of schizophrenia, as well as its symptoms. The illness often includes changes in mood, including mania and depression. Although these mood changes are usually less severe than those caused by bipolar disorder and major depressive disorder. Schizophrenia is especially difficult to distinguish from bipolar disorder. The positive symptoms of schizophrenia (delusions, hallucinations, and disorganized speech) may look like a manic episode of bipolar disorder, while the negative symptoms of schizophrenia (apathy, social isolation, and low energy) may look like a depressive episode.
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) - PTSD is an anxiety disorder that can develop after exposure to a traumatic event, such as combat, accidents, or violence - there are cases of schizophrenia in women after violence. People with PTSD, their images, sensations of smells and sounds, memories, sometimes similar to schizophrenics with their hallucinations, however, these are completely different states.
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How can you recognize a schizophrenic (schizophrenia)?
Understanding how to recognize a schizophrenic among others is very important. And not at all in order to avoid this person or make fun of him. Schizophrenia is a mental disorder that can greatly change consciousness and even force a person to take actions that are not characteristic of him, sometimes life-threatening. By determining whether someone has symptoms of schizophrenia, you can provide him with qualified diagnostics, observation by a psychologist or medical care in time.
To determine if a person is schizophrenic, you need to know how schizophrenia manifests itself. But there is one nuance here. Most of the signs of this disease are significantly enhanced behaviors of healthy people. After all, each person is characterized by anxiety or aggression. In a healthy person, these types of behavior are normal. In a schizophrenic, they either go beyond the limits of the norm, that is, they are of a pathological nature, or they manifest themselves inadequately, not corresponding to the situation.
It is important to understand that schizophrenia is a diagnosis, not a definition of weird people. Therefore, in no case should one take responsibility for calling a person a schizophrenic. Only a doctor can determine this. An incompetent person in this matter can only assume the presence of a disease and recommend a visit to a specialist.
To know how a person suffering from schizophrenia differs from healthy people, it is necessary to determine the main signs of schizophrenia in adults and children. Since an accurate diagnosis cannot be made by visual contact with a person, attention should be paid to the most striking manifestations of the disease.
The main manifestations of schizophrenia
One of the main manifestations of schizophrenia is the presence of hallucinations in a person. They can be not only visual, but also auditory. Moreover, the second option is much more common. Patients often hear voices or dialogues in their heads. Usually they are illogical and can push a person to commit rash and non-standard actions for him.
When such a symptom appears, schizophrenics are usually unaware of the true nature of these voices. They believe that they are talking to, for example, aliens or deities. They are confident in the correctness of all those actions that are imposed on them, even if it is a jump from a roof, etc.
Hallucinations in schizophrenia may also be accompanied by absurd and confused thoughts, the so-called delusions. It represents the presence of illogical statements in which the schizophrenic sees clearly formulated thoughts. Sometimes such delusions can be paranoid in nature. In this case, it seems to the patient that he is being pursued, they want to kill him or take him to some world invented by him.
Another option for delirium may be the exaltation of oneself or someone from the environment. The schizophrenic may talk enthusiastically about being a messenger who will save the world, or a secret agent from another planet. All these stories will be of an obsessive nature, and if the surrounding people reveal distrust of these ideas, the patient may show strong aggression.
In addition, delirium can manifest itself in the form of jealousy. Having this symptom, the schizophrenic will be pathologically jealous of his partner. He will confidently talk about the love affairs of his soulmate with a neighbor, janitor, seller of the nearest store, etc. It is often impossible to convince such a person of the opposite.
A symptom of schizophrenia can also be the selection by a person suffering from this disease of a super-significant personality. She may not only be a family member or acquaintance. This may be an outsider whom the schizophrenic will consider his master, mentor. He will be ready to unquestioningly carry out his instructions, believing in their righteousness. Because of this, the patient can become very vulnerable and fall under the influence of others.
All these symptoms characterize the most complex and deep form of the disease. Their manifestation may indicate a high percentage of the likelihood that a person has a disease. But there are other types of schizophrenia, which differ in other signs and symptoms. Usually they appear less intense. So, in the first stage of schizophrenia, patients are often distinguished by inappropriate behavior without visible disorders of consciousness.
Features of the behavior of schizophrenics
The main features of the behavior of people suffering from a mild form of schizophrenia include the following:
This list is far from complete, as schizophrenia has many more behavioral changes. However, many of them are so close to the norm that it is almost impossible to identify a pathological character in them.
One of the clearest manifestations of schizophrenia is apathy. It can affect absolutely all spheres of human life. A person can become indifferent to communicating with other people, lose interest in things that he was previously passionate about, refuse to work or study. At the same time, a person does not feel the need to communicate with the outside world, he withdraws into himself and is ready to be completely alone for days. Such a state seems to him comfortable.
Clear signs of schizophrenia
Being aggressive can also be a sign of schizophrenia. However, it is usually spontaneous and does not depend on the situation in which the patient is. Such aggression is not controlled by the schizophrenic. In this state, he can easily harm both himself and others.
Subsequently, he may not even remember what happened to him. In order to somehow explain these actions to themselves, schizophrenics give them a defensive character. They believe that this is the only way they can protect themselves from external threats. Moreover, these threats can sometimes be absurd. The patient may believe that any object or even color is harming him. He will avoid him in every possible way and be afraid of meeting him, considering this a mortal threat.
The catatonic state as a manifestation of schizophrenia is a movement disorder. It can be characterized by incessant movements that can develop into an obsessive state. Having this symptom, the patient constantly makes any movements, which are often meaningless. He can walk in circles around the room, picking beads or washing his hands.
Another option is catatonic stupor. In this case, the schizophrenic freezes in some position, which can be absolutely uncomfortable and unnatural. In this position, the patient can stay for several hours, not responding to appeals to him. Of course, this condition can also be a consequence of stress, but if it is systematic, then we can speak with great confidence about the presence of schizophrenia. This symptom gives the answer to the question of how to recognize schizophrenia.
All these manifestations and symptoms make it possible for any person to understand how to recognize a schizophrenic among healthy people. However, they are not the final authority that allows you to make a diagnosis. They can only indicate the presence of any mental illness, including schizophrenia, and become a prerequisite for visiting a psychiatrist or psychologist.
At the first manifestations of these symptoms in a loved one, you should immediately consult a doctor for advice.
It is impossible to delay with this question, since it is possible to aggravate the condition when the first stage of schizophrenia develops into an incurable pathology.
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How to identify schizophrenia by behavior
Modern methods of therapy allow to stop the manifestations of schizophrenia for a long time
Schizophrenia is a real scourge of our time. She sneaks up on a person imperceptibly and distorts his reality. Unfortunately, this disease is still not treated, but it can be kept under control. True, for this it needs to be recognized in time!
Of course, only specialists can diagnose such a serious mental illness. But you can take a quick test to understand that you have nothing to worry about!
What is schizophrenia
Schizophrenia has many forms and variations. But the main sign of this complex mental disorder is that a person’s idea of reality and his own personality completely changes.
The whole difficulty in diagnosing schizophrenia lies in the fact that few people are able to adequately assess their mental state. A true schizophrenic is absolutely sure that he is healthy. Moreover, he is convinced of his exclusivity and a special great mission on Earth.
This is how it turns out that many people simply do not reach specialists. Of course, they suspect that something is wrong with them, but they attribute their “strange” state to stress, fatigue, or some external cause. Meanwhile, the insidious disease progresses and completely changes their lives.
Not every psychiatrist can correctly diagnose schizophrenia. What can we say about ordinary people? Therefore, having noticed dangerous signs in yourself or your friends, it is best not to panic, but to seek advice from good specialists.
How does schizophrenia start?
Reliably about the causes of schizophrenia is still not really known. Psychiatrists say that genetics, multiplied by stress, is most often to blame.
Typically, the first signs of schizophrenia appear at 18–35 years of age. But this mental illness can occur in absolutely any person at any time of his life. In the case of childhood schizophrenia, strange behaviors are often attributed to adolescence or character traits.
The initial signs of schizophrenia are difficult to notice. But what happens most often is:
A person withdraws into himself, avoids communication with people. He does not make contact well and loses interest in everything that previously brought him joy.
All physical sensations are dulled: such people may not notice hunger, and they also forget to wash and change clothes on time.
A person may show inadequate emotions: for example, the most innocent question causes irritation and aggression in him.
Important: this behavior is typical not only for a patient with schizophrenia. This can be the behavior of a traumatized child, a rebellious teenager, or an adult during depression.
Therefore, if you notice the above signs in someone, you should not immediately suspect schizophrenia. Such behavior only indicates that something is happening in the human soul. Perhaps you should talk to him and convince him to see a psychologist to get rid of stress and psychological trauma.
Real schizophrenia is manifested not only by these signs. When making a diagnosis, psychiatrists also pay attention to two types of clinical symptoms: major and minor.
How to recognize a schizophrenic: a rapid test
This special rapid test will help you self-assess your risk of developing schizophrenia. Just remember that its results are just an occasion to think about your mental health and turn to a professional!
So, to make a preliminary diagnosis, carefully review this list of symptoms of schizophrenia and mentally check the box where you agree with the description.
Major circle symptoms
Hallucinations (voice, less often visual). A person can either understand that the voices in his head only seem to him, or consider that he is talking to an invisible interlocutor. The main danger lies in the fact that the VOICE can not only tell something, but also give directive instructions. For example, to order someone to harm.
Echoes of thought. This is a special feeling that one's own thoughts are repeated or echoed (but not spoken out loud) at a small interval. In addition, a person can feel the "OPEN" thoughts. In this case, it seems to him that others can know everything he thinks about. Sometimes the patient believes that those around him deliberately control his thoughts: they erase them from memory or, conversely, put their own thoughts into his head.
Brad impact. A person is convinced that someone or something is in control of him. He can tell others that he was hypnotized, programmed, or specially influenced by some kind of rays.
Crazy ideas. The schizophrenic sincerely believes in his great MISSION. He must uncover a Masonic conspiracy, save the world from aliens, decipher the messages of unknown civilizations, invent a time machine, and so on. Often a schizophrenic comes to the conclusion that everyone around does not understand anything, he alone sees the TRUTH.
Small circle symptoms
Strange speech constructions. A person is trying to explain something very important to him, but completely INCOMPLETE to others, since there is no logical connection between the phrases. Sometimes words are used that he himself invented, something like: “Barkalo. Flimsy shorts poked around the nave ... ".
Inhibited reaction. A person stops responding to others, can sit for a long time and look at one point. In some cases, he falls into STUPOR up to complete immobility.
Persistent illusions. They arise when the patient's brain completes its own REALITY. For example, a schizophrenic may feel that people on the streets periodically grow horns, or that at night his things come to life.
negative symptoms. They are called so because a person gradually LOSES skills or skills: he becomes less emotional, loses interest in work, practically does not communicate with people, etc.
Rapid test result: POSSIBLE schizophrenia is indicated by the presence of AT LEAST one major symptom in combination with two minor ones.
In any case, the presence of any of these signs is a clear reason to go to a psychiatrist to figure out what exactly is happening.
How to deal with a schizophrenic
Having found a schizophrenic next to you, it is important to remember that some forms of this disease lead to exacerbations. At this time, the symptoms of the disease manifest themselves especially strongly, and the person himself seems to fall out of reality.
Since the patient does not understand what he is doing, it is impossible to predict his behavior. In the worst case scenario, a schizophrenic may show aggression, which can be directed both at other people and at himself.
What to do in this case? Call psychiatric emergency! In the meantime, the doctors are going to try to establish a trusting contact and reassure the patient.
In no case should you prove to a schizophrenic that everything really is not at all the way he thinks. Not only will he not believe you, but he will rank you among his enemies. Do you need it? Better try to play along with the person. For example, if he believes that he has invented a time machine, ask him to be sure to take you with him when he travels to the past, as you have a lot of unfinished business there.…
It also happens that a person is perfectly aware of reality, but at the same time periodically demonstrates certain symptoms of schizophrenia. Try to persuade him (for his own peace of mind!) to undergo an examination by a psychiatrist. It's difficult, but essential. If the patient refuses to go to the doctor, do everything possible to start his treatment: invite specialists to your home, contact private clinics, motivate with anything
Modern methods of therapy allow to stop the manifestations of schizophrenia for a long time. Therefore, do not hesitate to turn to professionals in a timely manner!