How do I tell if my friend is schizophrenic?

Question

I have a friend, well let's just call him "weird".
Lately, he has been VERY weird, making up girlfriends, and friends on the computer, and blowing me and my friend off, when we know he's not really talking to any one else.
He's even been making up voices on the phone, and we think something is going very wrong in his mind/head.
So, how do I tell if he's schizophrenic, and what are some signs?

Answer 1

Check this out. Hope it helps you.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schizophrenia

Answer 2

I find this person's behavior almost bizarre. After an incidence, he will describe the situation in a way that his own negative actions do not get the least mention. Any facts that can go even remotely against him are simply omitted. Occasionally, if he and you did the same mistake (e.g. called each other the same bad word), he will conveniently "forget" his use of the word but will not fail to mention that you used it. He does it so convincingly that you will indeed wonder if he has selective amnesia. He does it so often that you wonder if he is sick or just an extremely clever person/lier. Has anyone else dealt with such a person? How? Is it some sort of sickness or just pure moral corruption? Do (other) such people exist?

Answer 3

If you are a teenager, or even in early 20's you are ALL WEIRD". I was weird when a teen, even til in my 30's, I recognize now that I'm an old man with the wisdom of 75 years behind me. Diagnosis of another as schizophrenic is impossible. It can only be done by a person trained in psychiatry. If he is not a danger to himself or another he is OK.

An hallucinating schizophrenic is so wrapped up in trying to figure out what is happening to his mind he becomes withdrawn and if an aggressive person by nature maybe talkative and belligerent. But so do a lot of "normal" people. There are a lot of types of schizophrenia. Usually any diagnosis requires the person be so "out of it" he can't function as a responsible person. But so do a lot of "normal" people! It is dangerous and irresponsible to diagnose another as mentally ill. You will never make everyone the same as you!

Good luck as you learn to live with and enjoy diversity, good mental health, peace and love!