Five main subtypes help distinguish schizophrenic disorders. Schizophrenia is a serious mental illness that involves lifelong treatment, no matter what subtype. The main symptoms of schizophrenia include hallucinations, delusions, disorganized behavior and speech, and catatonia. Treatment, including medication and psychosocial treatments, can help someone with schizophrenia live a more normal life.
Paranoid Subtype
The Mayo Clinic says the two main features of paranoid schizophrenia include paranoid delusions and hallucinations. Someone with this subtype probably would have an easier time functioning on an everyday basis than someone with another subtype, but it can lead to suicidal ideation and behavior. Many people with this illness do not discuss their symptoms and don't display any observable features, according to PsychCentral.com. Other symptoms of this subtype include anxiety, anger, violence, coldness and irritability leading to arguments. Someone with this disorder might believe that the CIA is tracking him to kill him. He might believe he hears messages from the CIA through his radio and television, and that CIA agents have planted hidden cameras throughout his home.
Disorganized Subtype
This subtype of schizophrenia is considered more severe than other subtypes because it interferes with a person's ability to take care of her basic needs, relate to others and communicate. Symptoms include disorganized behavior and speech, flat affect, odd postures and social isolation. Someone with this disorder also might have hallucinations and delusions. Someone with this subtype might not shower for days at a time, might wear the same, odd outfit over and over, might jump from unrelated ideas in conversation and could forget to eat. The frustration the person feels because of lack of communication skills can lead to irritability and lashing out at other people. Without medication and psychosocial treatments, someone with this disorder might not be able to function.
Catatonic Subtype
There are two main forms of catatonic schizophrenia. Someone with this disorder will either have a significant reduction in voluntary movement or display a dramatic increase in motion. Someone with a reduction in movement might stay in the same position for long periods , even when others try to move him. People who display catatonic excitement imitate sounds and movement of others. The Mayo Clinic says this subtype of schizophrenia is rare because of improved treatments.
Undifferientiated Subtype
PsychCentral says this diagnosis is for someone who has symptoms of schizophrenia but does meet the diagnostic criteria for the other subtypes. If the subject begins to display more symptoms that fit one of the other diagnoses, his diagnosis will be changed to reflect it.
Residual Subtype
This subtype diagnosis is given when someone no longer displays the prominent symptoms of schizophrenia, such as hallucinations, delusions, disorganized speech and behavior, and catatonic behavior. The diagnosis reflects that symptoms have decreased in severity and that the subject now has an easier time functioning.
