Are you concerned that someone in your family may have schizophrenia?
Suspecting that a loved one has schizophrenia is scary – even life-changing. Schizophrenia is a serious mental condition that is not completely understood. Nonetheless, those afflicted can have a high quality of life with the right treatment.
Proper and effective treatment all begins with knowing the signs of schizophrenia. By understanding them, you’ll be able to offer the best support possible.
When Does Schizophrenia Usually Develop?
The onset of schizophrenia usually begins in adolescence.
Schizophrenia rarely develops before the age of 12 and after the age of 40. But rare cases of childhood and middle-aged schizophrenia do occur.
Men are more likely to develop schizophrenia in their late teens into their early 20s. Meanwhile, women tend to develop symptoms around their late 20s and early 30s.
While schizophrenia usually begins in young adulthood, it can develop at any time. It’s important to look for the telltale symptoms of schizophrenia – regardless of age.
What Causes Schizophrenia?
Understanding the causes of schizophrenia may also prove helpful. The exact causes of schizophrenia are still unknown. But it’s believed that genetics and biology can cause it.
Hormonal changes can trigger schizophrenia in those who are genetically predisposed to it. Changes to the brain during puberty can, as well.
A person’s environment can trigger schizophrenia. It’s not uncommon for schizophrenia to show up after a traumatic or major event. Some research suggests that drug use may even trigger it in those predisposed to it.
But not all with a predisposition to schizophrenia will develop it. At the same time, people can have schizophrenia even if it doesn’t run in their families.
Talk to us about assessment and treatment options for schizophrenia.
Now that you understand when and how schizophrenia develops, what are its symptoms? Here are the 5 most revealing signs and symptoms of schizophrenia.
1. Changes in Personality & Behavior
Does it seem like your loved one isn’t acting quite like themselves?
Someone with early-stage schizophrenia may begin to isolate themselves from social situations. They may act angry or cower in fear around others. They can express indifference to their friends, family, and important life events.
They may start struggling with basic life tasks. They may develop poor hygiene or insomnia. Their performance at work and school can also begin to deteriorate.
Not only are these are some of the early warning signs of schizophrenia. They’re known as negative symptoms, which entail a lack of mental functioning. They’re not the most glaring of symptoms, but they are signs you should look out for nevertheless.
2. Delusions
Negative schizophrenia symptoms refer to an absence of normal thought patterns and behaviors. The positive symptoms, however, refer to the presence of abnormal thoughts and behaviors. Among these positive symptoms, delusions are one of the most common.
Delusions are otherwise characterized as false beliefs that are out-of-touch with reality. Not only are these beliefs easy to prove wrong. Someone suffering with them can struggle to understand the irrationality behind them.
There is a wide spectrum of schizophrenia-related delusions. Many schizophrenics believe others are watching, following, stalking, or tricking them. Some may suspect others to cheat, deceive, copy, or be in love with them.
A schizophrenic may believe that songs, movies, or TV shows are about them. Some may believe themselves to be of celebrity or political status. It’s also not uncommon for schizophrenic delusions to center around catastrophes or illness.
3. Hallucinations
Hallucinations are one of the other telltale positive symptoms of schizophrenia. Those afflicted can see or hear things that don’t actually exist.
Auditory hallucinations can take on several forms. They usually appear as one or multiple voices in a person’s head. They can sound loud and angry, or as quiet as a whisper or murmur.
Auditory hallucinations can tell or demand someone to do something. Or, they may feed false beliefs into a person’s head. For example, an auditory hallucination can tell someone that others don’t like them.
Visual hallucinations can take on many forms, as well. Schizophrenics suffering from these hallucinations may see lights or orbs. Or, their hallucinations may resemble the following:
- People
- Numbers
- Animals
- Objects (actual or inanimate)
- Patterns
Some schizophrenics may feel the sensation of things crawling or living inside them. Others may smell something strongly and believe it to be there. They may not eat or drink something or go somewhere as a result of these sensations.
4. Trouble Concentrating
As a result of delusions and hallucinations, a schizophrenic usually has trouble concentrating. Their inability to concentrate may seem most apparent to you and those around them.
A schizophrenic may not be able to follow what is going on during a program they’re watching. Or, they may struggle to know what’s happening in a conversation despite being present.
Schizophrenics may struggle to follow or understand directions. They may not hear or see motions for them to pay attention. They can seem lost in thought and unaware of their surroundings.
5. Disorganized Speech and Behavior
Due to their delusions or hallucinations, a schizophrenic can suffer from disrupted speech. Communication difficulty is common. A schizophrenic can struggle to organize their thoughts and translate them into speech.
A schizophrenic may not be able to answer questions fully or even partially. They may respond with words that make no sense or are entirely irrelevant. Or, they may respond in an unusually loud or quiet tone.
Schizophrenics can even exhibit alarming behaviors, like extreme agitation. But contrary to popular belief, schizophrenics are typically non-violent.
Some schizophrenics can appear restless, fretful, or jump. On the other hand, some can seem emotionless and even catatonic.
Still uncertain whether your loved one has schizophrenia? Talk to us
Schizophrenia Treatment
Only a medical professional can officially diagnose your loved one as schizophrenic. Still, you may be wondering what schizophrenia treatment entails.
Medication can help manage delusions, hallucinations, as well as negative symptoms. Anti-psychotic medications are usually prescribed. It’s also not uncommon for doctors to prescribe medication for co-occurring mental conditions.
Therapy is another crucial part of treatment. Only a doctor should decide which form of therapy is best for a patient.
You can express your concerns to their doctor. You may want to talk to them about finding a treatment program that addresses their:
- Behavior management
- Emotional & psychological thinking
- Survival skills
You should also explore programs that offer group therapy, activities, and spirituality seminars.
Understanding the Signs of Schizophrenia
Discovering that your loved one has schizophrenia can be a life-changing ordeal. Not only for them, but for you, their friends, and the rest of their family.
But there is hope. It is possible to maintain a high quality of life with schizophrenia. The sooner treatment begins, the sooner and better they’ll be able to cope with the disease.
Do you live in Malaysia and suspect that a family member has schizophrenia? Do you need further assistance understanding the signs of schizophrenia?
Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you!
Dear Sir or Madam,
My brother Osama who is 36 years old suffers from psychology issues for long time. His childhood was great (sociable, cooperative & outstanding in his studies. Teenager time was a bit difficult since the change has started exactly when he was 17 years old. As he was being aggressive to others. His parents didn’t recognize the situation immediately which caused some disagreements including some hits & told off.
He has been imagining thing such as feeling light and can’t do anything or feeling heavy & can do things.
Lately, he likes to keep his heavy cloths at all time because he feels cold. Also, refuse to shave his hair. He gets upset from the light level & color, doesn’t like the floor type ceramic & like it to be covered with carpet.
Finally, he has been facing some aggressive dealing from the public including teenagers, workers & police which reflected badly in his situation toward desperation.
Please provide me with any suitable program for his situation.
Thanks.
Best regards,
Ahmed Alolaywi
00966554133595
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