Types of Schizophrenia

This condition, also known as psychosis, manifests in a variety of ways. People with schizophrenia disorder may hear voices or see things that aren’t real. Schizophrenia affects approximately 1% of people worldwide. Schizophrenia may be more common in men than women. Common symptoms include hallucinations, delusions, thought disorders, movement disorders, sensory problems, and other cognitive issues.

Although these may seem unrelated, they all stem from a problem within an area of the brain called gray matter. It’s important to note that while there are many different subtypes of schizophrenia disorders. Researchers are still working to further classify them. They all share common symptoms such as paranoia and inappropriate emotional reactions to everyday events.

 Types of Schizophrenia

1. What is Paranoid Schizophrenia?

Paranoid schizophrenia is one type of schizophrenia. It is characterized by extreme suspiciousness and delusions, most commonly persecutory (believing others want to hurt you). Paranoid individuals often believe they are being talked about behind their backs, followed, or spied on. They have a hard time relating to others. They may feel that other people have hidden motives for interacting with them. If you have paranoid schizophrenia, your symptoms will not necessarily disappear when you’re off your medication or feeling particularly stressed. Instead, psychotic episodes tend to come and go in cycles. Sometimes lasting hours or days at a time and sometimes recurring weekly or monthly. It’s common for those living with paranoid schizophrenia to experience residual symptoms between episodes.

     2.What is Residual Schizophrenia?

The Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) can help determine if someone has positive or negative symptoms of schizophrenia. The PANSS is a scale that’s designed to measure different types of symptoms. For example, a score for hallucinations on a scale like that would be higher if someone hears voices. The score will not be counted if they just have strange beliefs. The score for disorganized thinking, on the other hand, would be higher if someone had trouble organizing their thoughts in a logical way when speaking. Scoring high on positive symptoms suggests schizophrenia disorder.

     3.What is Catatonic Schizophrenia?

A lack of motor activity and movement is a common symptom of schizophrenia. This type of Schizophrenia is known as Catatonic Schizophrenia. Catatonic patients can also be extremely rigid in their body positions. They do not respond to any external stimuli like they’re unaware they’re being observed. It’s important to note, however, that catatonia isn’t a defining feature of schizophrenia—it’s a symptom of depression that occurs at certain points during an episode but it doesn’t persist throughout an entire episode. A lot more people experience catatonia once than exhibiting it consistently throughout symptoms.

   4.What Is Disorganized Schizophrenia?

A common misconception is that people with schizophrenia have split personalities or multiple personalities. While they can sometimes feel like they’re hearing voices or conversing with different people. These voices aren’t coming from some other personality, just their illness. Other times, people with schizophrenia may be in a state where their thoughts seem to jump around. People who suffer from disorganized schizophrenia often have trouble expressing themselves clearly, either because they can’t think of what to say next. Their brain feels so scrambled that it can’t put words together correctly.

    5.What is undifferentiated Schizophrenia?

This is one of two primary types of schizophrenia disorders. People with undifferentiated schizophrenia tend to experience a wide range of symptoms. Examples include delusions, disorganized speech and behavior, hallucinations, catatonic behavior, mood problems, and flat affect. This type of schizophrenia is thought to develop later in life. Without treatment, it can be difficult for people with undifferentiated schizophrenia to function well enough to get their lives back on track. Therapy (with anti-psychotic medications) can help most people who have it eventually live normal lives. It’s important for family members and friends to encourage loved ones with undifferentiated schizophrenia. They can not only provide professional help but also stick with treatment once they begin it.

Treatment Options for Individuals with Schizophrenia

When people think about schizophrenia, they typically picture a person hearing voices and experiencing hallucinations. It’s a serious mental disorder that is often misunderstood. While there is no cure for schizophrenia. You can manage your symptoms of Schizophrenia through treatment options including therapy, medication, and coping strategies. Your doctor will help you decide which treatment or combination of treatments is best for you.

Takeaway

Schizophrenia is a mental illness that affects approximately 1.1% of adults at some point in their life (more than 2.2 million Americans). You’re not alone and there are treatments available that can help reduce symptoms, improve your quality of life, and restore your ability to function independently. If you or someone you know is experiencing psychosis or schizophrenia-like symptoms, seek help as soon as possible to get on a path toward recovery.