What is Schizophrenia?
This disorder is classified as a chronic psychiatric illness characterized by a marked inability to think clearly, creating behavior that is eccentric and socially unacceptable. It is a condition that shatters meaningful connections between thoughts, feelings, and behavior.
The condition destroys the inner unity of the mind, and weakens the will and drive that constitute the essential and personal character of the individual.
The primary difference between Schizophrenia and Schizoaffective disorder is that schizoaffective is characterized like schizophrenia but with the addition of a mood disorder, primarily mania or depression.
There are three types of schizophrenia:
Catatonic Type: Dominated by a marked decrease in reactivity to the environment. It is characterized by the assumption of inappropriate or bizarre postures and grimaces. The individual may develop abnormalities affecting his speech, senses and body movements. He may often maintain a rigid posture against attempts to be moved.
Disorganized Type: Presents with incoherent or grossly disorganized behavior. The affect is flat and inappropriate and self-care is below normal. There is a deterioration of functioning in all areas of life. If the onset is in childhood or adolescence, the disorder will be characterized by the failure to achieve expected levels of social development. The most observable characteristics are rambling and incoherent speech, senseless behavior and an inappropriate range of feelings.
Paranoid Type: Exhibits a preoccupation with one or more systematized delusions or auditory hallucinations related to a single theme. Poor social development, lack of self-care and low levels of functioning in work, school and relationships are noted. These individuals are preoccupied with delusions or frequent auditory hallucinations, although speech and behavior may appear fairly normal at times. This form of the disease may appear in later life and has a better prognosis than the other types.
Symptoms of schizophrenia may include:
- Seeing things, hearing things, or experiencing sensations that do not exist.
- Persistently believe in fixed ideas despite proof against the fact (delusions).
- Unable to think in a logical manner (thought disorder).
- Talk in rambling, disconnected, or incoherent manner.
- Unable to focus or stay on task.
- Lacks will or motivation to complete a task.
- Function at a low level at school, work or in relationships.
- Feels followed, poisoned, infected, loved or deceived by others (delusions).
- Shows few or inappropriate feelings.
- Tends to be homeless or without purpose.
- May not complete course of treatment, including medications.
- Unable to think in a logical manner (thought disorder).
