4 Ways To Recognize Schizophrenic Symptoms

1. Pay Attention to Mental and Behavioral Clues

Persons with schizophrenia will exhibit certain behaviors and thought patterns that seem strange to normal observers. These symptoms typically occur randomly at the onset of the disease, but increase in intensity as the condition worsens.

Delusions are beliefs a person holds that are not only irrational, but also remain firmly held in the face of contradictory evidence. Delusions do not include articles of faith or cultural traditions.

Hallucinations are sensations that do not actually occur. Common hallucinations include hearing strange voices, seeing unreal objects or feeling things that are not present.

Another indication of schizophrenia is disorganized speech, which may include slurred or incoherent words. Sentences make little sense and may include words that have no meaning except to the person suffering from schizophrenia.

2. Consider a Person's Level of Dysfunction

Once schizophrenic symptoms have begun to manifest, there usually is a clear difference between how well the person currently functions and how well he previously functioned. Usual indicators involve poor performance at work, such as failing to arrive on time, failing to complete tasks or inadequately performing responsibilities.

If the person is pursuing an education, there may be a drop in grade-point-average resulting from incomplete or incorrect assignments, a lack of understanding the material and impaired reasoning abilities. Educators will usually notice these changes and can provide more information on the person's academic struggles.

Relationships are a crucial indicator. Because a person with schizophrenia is suffering from complex intellectual and emotional impairment, they may lash out in anger, respond oddly or completely withdraw from their friends and loved ones. If you suspect a person is behaving this way due to schizophrenia, speak with those who know her best to determine if the social dysfunction is occurring in all relationships.

3. Note the Duration of Each Symptom

Symptoms of schizophrenia are persistent and worsen if they remain untreated. In many cases, they appear alongside highly disorganized or catatonic behavior. Examples of disorganized behavior are removing clothes in public, violating the privacy or rights of others and performing activities that do not match the environment, such as laughing at a funeral. Typically, the person does not realize these behaviors are inappropriate, or that they could have legal repercussions.

There are two types of catatonia. The first results in exaggerated, directionless, highly active behavior, such as running laps around the house. The second is complete immobilization, wherein a person presents a blank stare and seems unaware of the surrounding environment. If these symptoms or the symptoms listed above persist continuously for 6 months, then a diagnosis for schizophrenia may be warranted.

4. Rule Out Other Disorders

Other mental disorders contain some of the same symptoms as schizophrenia. Therefore, a person's dysfunction must be accurately diagnosed for it to be effectively treated. Schizoaffective and mood disorders have psychotic features similar to schizophrenia. These are ruled out, however, if a person has had no major manic, depressive or mixed episodes, or if these episodes have been brief when compared with standard schizophrenic symptoms.

Prescription drugs, certain combinations of over-the-counter medications and illegal substances can cause symptoms similar to schizophrenia. Before consulting a mental health professional, speak with a person's physician to ensure the dysfunction is not simply a side effect of any medication.

Developmental Disorders often mimic schizophrenic symptoms and should be ruled out as a cause for the dysfunction. Thus, if a person has a history of autism, Asperger Syndrome, or pervasive atypical autism, a mental health expert should examine them to ensure that the schizophrenic symptoms are unrelated.