Monday, March 25, 2024

What Type Of Disorder Is Schizophrenia

Don't Miss

Treatment Options For Dual Diagnosis State Of Disorganized Schizophrenia And Addiction

Coping with Schizoaffective Disorder (Schizophrenia Bipolar Type)

An individual may, for example, hear voices that appear to be accurate but arent. Disorganized schizophrenia speech and thoughts refer to a persons inability to form coherent or rational thoughts, which results in incoherent speech. This symptom may cause a person to jump from one subject to another during a conversation. When the problem is severe, a persons speech can become garbled and difficult to understand by others.;

An individual suffering from Disorganized schizophrenia bad symptoms cannot perform basic tasks such as personal hygiene. They may isolate themselves from others and be unable to express emotions, including avoiding eye contact or speaking in a monotone. The unintended actions and expressions that distinguish this type of Schizoaffective problem from the alternative forms of Schizoaffective problem are the hallmark symptoms. When combined with the use of alcohol or narcotics, this component of the condition may become substantially worse.

People who have Disorganized schizophrenia are said to have a mental illness that can be classified as Schizoaffective problem. This condition is often described as an enduring mental disease that involves emotions such as mood swings, obsessive-compulsive disorders , post-traumatic stress disorders , and the traits of several other personality disorders.

The phrases paranoid schizophrenia, Disorganized schizophrenia, and catatonic schizophrenia are no longer used by mental health practitioners.

Five Different Types Of Schizophrenia

Posted

Schizophrenia is a chronic brain disorder, characterized by hallucinations, delusional thinking, a distorted perception of reality, poor cognitive skills, and disorganized speech or behavior. Affecting roughly 1% of the population in the United States, schizophrenia is characterized by hallucinations, delusional thinking, a distorted perception of reality, poor cognitive skills, and disorganized speech or behavior.

The causes of schizophrenia are similar to those of other psychiatric disorders; genetics and family history, environmental factors, and changes in brain chemistry. Common misconceptions and stigmas about people with schizophrenia are that they tend to become violent and have split personalities.;

The National Alliance on Mental Illness states that schizoaffective disorder affects about 0.3% of the population. Men and women experience schizoaffective disorder at a similar rate but men develop the illness at a younger age. ;The National Institutes of Health estimates approximately 1.1% of American adults will be diagnosed with schizophrenia at some point in their life. Schizophrenia can occur at all ages but tends to occur in the late teens to the early 20s for men, and the late 20s to early 30s for women. Experiencing schizophrenia at ages younger than 12 or older than 40 is very uncommon.

There are five different types of schizophrenia; all of which are determined by the symptoms shown by the patient.

Paranoid Schizophrenia

Schizoaffective Disorder

When Should I See My Doctor

Some people with schizophrenia do not realise they have a problem or avoid health professionals if they have paranoid thoughts. Its important to get professional help to manage schizophrenia. If you or someone you know seems to be experiencing signs of schizophrenia, see your doctor as soon as possible.

It can be hard to recognise signs of schizophrenia at first, but over time the changes in someones thinking and behaviour may get worse.

See a doctor if you or someone you know:

  • gets very preoccupied with something
  • starts talking or writing very fast, or is talking much less than normal
  • seems muddled, irrational or is hard to understand
  • withdraws from normal activities
  • is hyperactive or starts behaving recklessly
  • laughs or cries inappropriately, or cannot laugh or cry or express happiness
  • doesnt look after their personal hygiene
  • develops depression or anxiety

Although the majority of people with schizophrenia are not violent, severe symptoms can cause some people to have thoughts of suicide or harming others. If you think someone may be at risk of suicide or violence, call triple zero .

Don’t Miss: Phobia House Kalamazoo

What If I Am Not Happy With My Treatment

If you are not happy with your treatment you can:

  • talk to your doctor about your treatment options,
  • ask for a second opinion,
  • get an advocate to help you speak to your doctor,
  • contact Patient Advice and Liaison Service and see whether they can help, or
  • make a complaint.

There is more information about these options below.

Treatment options

You should first speak to your doctor about your treatment. Explain why you are not happy with it. You could ask what other treatments you could try.

Tell your doctor if there is a type of treatment that you would like to try. Doctors should listen to your preference. If you are not given this treatment, ask your doctor to explain why it is not suitable for you.

Second opinion

A second opinion means that you would like a different doctor to give their opinion about what treatment you should have. You can also ask for a second opinion if you disagree with your diagnosis.

You dont have a right to a second opinion. But your doctor should listen to your reason for wanting a second opinion.

Advocacy

An advocate is independent from the mental health service. They are free to use. They can be useful if you find it difficult to get your views heard.

There are different types of advocates available. Community advocates can support you to get a health professional to listen to your concerns. And help you to get the treatment that you would like.

The Patient Advice and Liaison Service

Complaints

You can find out more about:

Schizophrenia Test & Diagnosis

PPT

If you or a loved one shows signs of psychosis, visit your doctor right away for a physical exam and review of your medical history. If physical reasons for the behaviors are ruled out, your doctor will consult with a behavioral health professional.;Getting help as soon as symptoms arise is important for children and adults alike. Intervening early can make recovery and symptom relief easier.

Before schizophrenia is diagnosed, doctors need to find out if the symptoms are being caused by substance abuse, medication issues or other medical problems. Diagnosing schizophrenia may include:

  • Physical examination; Doctors look for physical problems that could be causing the symptoms and behaviors.
  • Psychiatric evaluation; During a;psychiatric evaluation, behavioral health professionals ask about thoughts, moods, delusions, hallucinations, substance use, and risks for violence or suicide. This includes discussing personal and family history.
  • Using diagnostic criteria; Behavioral health professionals refer to the;American Psychiatric Associations guidelines;for diagnosing schizophrenia.
  • Tests and screenings;;Drug and alcohol screenings;and other tests help rule out conditions with similar symptoms. Imaging tests like MRIs and CT scans may be recommended.

Recommended Reading: Is Celine Dion Anorexic

Can I Live A Normal Life With Schizophreniform Disorder

Schizophreniform disorder can be extremely disruptive. It messes up how you think, act, express emotions, perceive reality and relate to others. This causes problems with relationships, employment and other aspects of normal life.

Some individuals with schizophreniform who have worked in the past find it easier to return to employment. If youve never worked, it might be helpful to do some volunteering for charity to see if a certain job appeals to you. To help make your choice consider questions like the following: Are you good with a hammer? Would you rather sit behind a desk inside or work in a park outside? Do you prefer to work independently or in a group? Figure out what you can and cant do with your disorder. Do your best to preserve the life you had before, while learning to accept the challenges you face now.

Some patients may need to be hospitalized. It may be necessary for your safety and the safety of others.

Many schizophreniform disorder patients engage in substance abuse. Such a decision will not help treat the symptoms of this disorder and can worsen your quality of life even more, making it harder to recover.

Family Education And Support

Educational programs for family members, significant others, and friends offer instruction about schizophrenia symptoms and treatments, and strategies for assisting the person with the illness. Increasing key supporters understanding of psychotic symptoms, treatment options, and the course of recovery can lessen their distress, bolster coping and empowerment, and strengthen their capacity to offer effective assistance. Family-based services may be provided on an individual basis or through multi-family workshops and support groups. For more information about family-based services in your area, you can visit the family education and support groups page on the National Alliance on Mental Illness website.

Read Also: Phobia Of Bees

What Are The Early Signs Of Schizophrenia

The most common early signs of schizophrenia may include social withdrawal, depression, hostility, oversleeping or insomnia, inability to cry or express joy, and deterioration of personal hygiene. The early stage of the schizophrenia is called the prodromal phase. It is difficult to diagnose schizophrenia during this early stage, as these symptoms could result from a number of other problems.

The Different Types Of Schizophrenia

The 4 main types of Schizophrenia

Mental health disorders are complicated and can be hard to diagnose. Often, people have overlapping symptoms or more than one disorder at the same time. Because of these variations, mental health disorders are often classified by broad term first and then broken down into more specific disorders. One such example is with schizophrenia.

Recommended Reading: The Fear Of Spoons

What Is The Major Difference Between A Diagnosis Of Schizophrenia And Schizoaffective Disorder

The main difference between schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder is the presence of a mood disorder. For people with schizoaffective disorder, the mood disorder is a prominent and persistent part of their condition. People with schizophrenia may experience mood episodes, but the total duration of the mood symptoms is brief and psychotic symptoms are more frequently present.

What Are Schizophrenia Disorders

Schizophrenia disorders are mental health disorders that interfere with a persons perception of reality. They are often characterized by delusions and hallucinations. These disorders are usually severe and require mental health care in order for the person to manage their symptoms and lead a more normal life.

Also Check: Fear Of Spoons

What Are The Treatments For Schizophrenia

Ninety-nine percent of patients with schizophrenia need lifelong treatment with antipsychotic drugs, counseling and social rehabilitation, says Dr. Bowers.

This will reduce their symptoms and help them get to a place of stability in their lives, she says.

Antipsychotics are given orally or by injection. Depending on the type of schizophrenia, other medications may be needed as well:

  • People with paranoid schizophrenia usually respond well to antipsychotics, which decrease paranoid thinking and help them readjust to their environment.
  • People with catatonic schizophrenia require benzodiazepines to relax their muscles, allowing them to become more active and to react to the environment.
  • People with undifferentiated schizophrenia are slower to respond to antipsychotics because thinking is disturbed across the board. The medication makes them more alert and able to care for themselves, but it doesnt always clear their thinking, she says.
  • People with schizoaffective disorder require a combination of antipsychotics and antidepressants or mood stabilizers.

Despite significant side effects, its important to keep taking these medications.

When people go on and off their meds, their symptoms return, and they often end up back in the hospital, says Dr. Bowers. Also, the more episodes you have, the further you get from your healthy baseline.

How Is The Diagnosis Made

Top 10 Schizophrenia Facts

Some of the symptoms that occur in schizophrenia also occur in other mental health conditions such as depression, mania, and;dissociative identity disorder, or after taking some street drugs. Therefore, the diagnosis may not be clear at first. As a rule, the symptoms need to be present for several weeks before a doctor will make a firm diagnosis of schizophrenia.

Not all symptoms are present in all cases. Different forms of schizophrenia occur depending upon the main symptoms that develop. For example, people with paranoid schizophrenia mainly have positive symptoms which include delusions that people are trying to harm them. In contrast, some people mainly have negative symptoms and this is classed as simple schizophrenia. In many cases there is a mix of positive and negative symptoms.

Sometimes symptoms develop quickly over a few weeks or so. Family and friends may recognise that the person has a mental health problem. Sometimes symptoms develop slowly over months and the person may gradually become withdrawn, lose friends, jobs, etc, before the condition is recognised.

Don’t Miss: What’s The Phobia Of Long Words

Types Of Schizophrenia And Their Characteristics

09 October, 2020

There are various types of schizophrenia. Until recently, this mental disorder used to be divided into subtypes. There are now five different types of the condition differentiated according to the traits that predominate in every type.

Theres are differences in the way of interpreting reality in all of them though: hallucinations, delusions, and variations in behavior and thinking. This disease greatly impacts the lives of those who have it, as well as the people close to them.

It can even be a social risk when patients lose their ability to control their actions. Todays article will discuss everything you need to know about the various types of schizophrenia and their characteristics.

At What Age Is Schizophrenia Diagnosed

Schizophrenia usually develops after puberty, with most people being diagnosed with schizophrenia in their late teens to early 30s. The typical age of onset and diagnosis also varies between males and females. Males are more likely to be diagnosed in their late teens to early 20s, while females are more likely to be diagnosed in their late 20s to early 30s.

Don’t Miss: How To Lose Weight If You Have Binge Eating Disorder

What Is The Prognosis For Those With Psychotic Disorders

Many people who have been diagnosed with a psychotic disorder tend to lead productive lives and function normally with the proper treatment. The prognosis for those with psychotic disorders varies from person to person. For example, women tend to respond better to medication than men. Those with a family history of illness have a lower prognosis than those without. The number of negative symptoms also determines the individual prognosis as well as age; the older the patient, the more promising prognosis. Another important factor in determining prognosis is the individuals support system. Most will never fully recover from or be cured of psychotic disorders and will need to continue treatment for the duration of their lives. To maintain mental and physical stability with the condition, it is important for patients to strictly follow the treatment of psychotic disorders recommended by their healthcare providers.

For more on the topic of Psychotic Disorders, weve included the following expert consensus documents as reference materials:

Here Are Some Things You Can Do To Help Your Loved One:

Schizophrenia – causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment & pathology
  • Help them get treatment and encourage them to stay in treatment
  • Remember that their beliefs or hallucinations seem very real to them
  • Tell them that you acknowledge that everyone has the right to see things their way
  • Be respectful, supportive, and kind without tolerating dangerous or inappropriate behavior
  • Check to see if there are any support groups in your area

Some symptoms require immediate emergency care. If your loved one is thinking about harming themselves or others or attempting suicide, seek help right away:

Also Check: Where Are Bipolar Neurons Found

The Most Common Early Warning Signs Include:

  • Depression, social withdrawal
  • Hostility or suspiciousness, extreme reaction to criticism
  • Deterioration of personal hygiene
  • Inability to cry or express joy or inappropriate laughter or crying
  • Oversleeping or insomnia; forgetful, unable to concentrate
  • Odd or irrational statements; strange use of words or way of speaking
  • While these warning signs can result from a number of problemsnot just schizophreniathey are cause for concern. When out-of-the-ordinary behavior is causing problems in your life or the life of a loved one, seek medical advice. If schizophrenia or another mental problem is the cause, getting treatment early will help.

    Who Can Get A Psychotic Disorder

    Approximately 1 percent of the population suffers from a psychotic disorder. These conditions are most commonly found in people in their late teens to early thirties and effects men and women equally. Like many other mental disorders, psychotic disorders are often genetic. People who have a family member with this type of disorder are more likely to develop it than those who do not have a family history of it. It is also believed that these disorders are related to the hyper activity of chemicals in the brain that are vital to normal functioning. Additionally, those who experienced brain injury during fetal development or childhood are at a higher risk of developing the condition.

    Also Check: Can Depression Make You Lose Your Appetite

    Schizoaffective Disorder: A Hybrid Condition

    The schizoaffective disorder vs. schizophrenia comparison reveals pronounced overlap but clear differences. In fact, schizoaffective disorder is a hybrid condition that combines the characteristics of schizophrenia with those of mood disorders, such as depression and bipolar disorder. It is this blending of different mental health conditions that sets schizoaffective disorder apart from its more well-known cousin, since the standard schizophrenia definition classifies it as a disorder that affects thought, feelings, and behavior but not mood, at least not directly.

    Some mental health experts prefer a spectrum model to explain the two conditions, with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder occupying the two extreme ends and schizoaffective disorder found somewhere in the middle. This idea makes some sense, since people with schizoaffective disorder do generally exhibit the same mood swings that are experienced by individuals with bipolar disorder, either the lows of depression or the highs of mania.

    However, schizoaffective disorder, bipolar type is only one variety of the condition. Schizoaffective disorder, depressive type includes the symptoms of major depression without the mania, and is just as likely to be diagnosed as bipolar schizoaffective disorder.

    Schizoaffective disorder ICD 10 classifications are recognized as authoritative everywhere, including in the United States, even though the American Psychiatric Associations DSM-5 classification system is more well-known.

    More articles

    Popular Articles