how do you diagnose schizophrenia?

Question

i work in the mental health field and have always been interested in what the signs are in early diagnosis.

Answer 1

Excellent info at:

http://www.nimh.nih.gov/publicat/schizoph.cfm

Answer 2

Schizophrenia is characterized by at least 2 of the following symptoms, for at least one month:

* Delusions
* Hallucinations
* Disorganized speech (e.g., frequent derailment or incoherence)
* Grossly disorganized or catatonic behavior
* Negative symptoms (e.g., a "flattening" of one's emotions, alogia, avolition; see below)

(Only one symptom is required if delusions are bizarre or hallucinations consist of a voice keeping up a running commentary on the person's behavior or thoughts, or two or more voices conversing with each other.)

For a significant portion of the time since the onset of the disturbance, one or more major areas of functioning such as work, interpersonal relations, or self-care are markedly below the level achieved prior to the onset (or when the onset is in childhood or adolescence, failure to achieve expected level of interpersonal, academic, or occupational achievement).

Schizoaffective Disorder and Mood Disorder With Psychotic Features have been considered as alternative explanations for the symptoms and have been ruled out. The disturbance must also not be due to the direct physiological effects of use or abuse of a substance (e.g., alcohol, drugs, medications) or a general medical condition.

If there is a history of Autistic Disorder or another Pervasive Developmental Disorder, the additional diagnosis of Schizophrenia is made only if prominent delusions or hallucinations are also present for at least a month (or less if successfully treated).
Different Types of Schizophrenia:
Paranoid schizophrenia a person feels extremely suspicious, persecuted, grandiose, or experiences a combination of these emotions.

Disorganized schizophrenia a person is often incoherent but may not have delusions.

Catatonic schizophrenia a person is withdrawn, mute, negative and often assumes very unusual postures.

Residual schizophrenia a person is no longer delusion or hallucinating, but has no motivation or interest in life. These symptoms can be most devastating.

Positive Symptoms


Negative Symptoms

* Delusions
* Hallucinations
* Disorganized thinking
* Agitation



* Lack of drive or initiative
* Social withdrawal
* Apathy
* Emotional unresponsiveness

Answer 3

Only a psychiatrist or medical doctor is qualified to make a diagnosis, however if you're interested and already work in the mental health field, try and get hold of DSM IV, I think they have all the symptoms in there.

Answer 4

I wouldn't dream of diagnosing anyone as schizophrenic. These labels that psychiatrists rely on (but often don't agree on!) are destructive to the individuals so labelled. All the different symptoms are just ways that people show their pain.thei
Imagine someone who is constantly criticised and monitored by their parents because they don't trust him/her to do the right thing. Imagine that they don't have anyone to confide these troubles to. Then the person attracts criticism (as people do if it's what they're used to!) and you have set the stage for so-called paranoia. Of course it is not often quite as simple as this, but I still maintain it's a valid point. One thing that psychiatrists do not !)seem to acknowledege is the power of catharsis. (Presumably because it is not an instant "cure" and people can get stuck in the depths of their distress. [if they are not helped out of it when they have had some catharsis!] Psychiatrists are the last people to understand this, unfortunately.) I suggest you read some books by such people as Ty Colburn and Peter Breggin to mention just two. People who are labelled "mentally sick" are just people who's pain refuses to be supressed any longer (and then they visit a doctor and are given drugs to supress their pain yet again, and feel like total misfits and failures instead of being helped to express it which will then uncover another layer until they have jettisoned enough that they will be able to function well and live the lives they are entitled to as human beings. If parents didn't stop their children from crying, a lot of the work would already be done naturally and without effort, but, because of their own unhealed hurts, hearing their children cry, triggers their own feelings of discomfort, and the extent of the pain they have suppressed will determine their reaction to their child (and we've all read about children who have been battered by parents who could not stop them from crying!) As you can see I am critical of the psychiatric profession (there are a FEW good ones, a handful, I was going to be a psychiatrist until I discovered just how wrong-headed the system was (and still is!) We really are living in the dark ages as far as psychiatry goes and because most people don't understand the nature of what happens to suppressed pain the psychiatrists can bluff politicians into seeing it their way. Well, it boils down to money in the end. If people can help each other (and they can) that's less high salaries for the psychs. Because they are not trained to really help, it frightens them to see someone very distressed.

Answer 5

They are compulsive liars that really believe that lies are the truth. I had a friend that told me he was in the army for nine years he was a master sergeant. I rented this man a room in my home. One night he got totally trashed. I was sitting on my couch and had a friend over all of a sudden he is standing in front of me with a shotgun at my head. I stood up and told him to put it away. He pushed me down and walked away. I called 911 from my cordless phone and got out of the house. Next thing I know there are 15 police officers there and they had to evacuate my neighbors so they wouldn't get shot if he decided to shoot. 45 minutes later and after shutting off the sub that i lived in they got him out of the house. I was scared to death. Well he went to jail and guess what he was never in the military and come to find out he was a habitual criminal that had served time. Don't get to close to a psycho schizo you will be sorry. You never know what they are thinking. Do yourself a favor and listen.

Answer 6

diagnosis is usually based on several criteria listed in the IC10 it should be located on all mental health wards and good bookshops.

Answer 7

As far as symptoms are concerned, try checking the DSM-IV-R; otherwise any Abnormal Psychology textbook should give listings of signs and symptoms. Hope this helps!

Answer 8

by no skill heard that. appears like fantasy. in case you have ever been around schizophrenics you will possibly see how his strikes and writings are very in assessment to that of a schizophrenic individual. The writings of the Bible look greater companies to that variety of theory.

Answer 9

my sister has it and it is totally awful, she got depressed when she was only 13 and developed this terrible disease when she was only 18, she thinks everyone is stalking her and you know what i just cant go on talking about the symptoms as i could write a book!

Answer 10

If some is acting weired in there normal state of mind (not under the influence).