Schizophrenia Articles

Medically reviewed by Julie A. Dodson, MA, LCSW

Schizophrenia may be one of the most well-known mental health disorders due to the way it’s typically portrayed in the media. However, it might also be one of the most misunderstood disorders. This condition can come in several different forms and affect people to varying degrees. Continue reading to learn more about schizophrenia, including its symptoms, diagnostic criteria, and potential treatment options, including online therapy.

What are the general symptoms?

There are generally five different kinds of schizophrenia: catatonic, disorganized, paranoid, residual, and undifferentiated. Each of these types can cause different symptoms, and even two people with the same form of schizophrenia are likely to have varying experiences. Some of the most common symptoms of schizophrenia include (but are not limited to) the following:

• Hallucinations – When someone with schizophrenia experiences psychosis, they may see or hear things that aren’t there. These experiences are generally called hallucinations, and they can be auditory or visual. Some individuals may experience both types of hallucinations.
• Delusions – A delusion is usually when a person perceives something that directly conflicts with reality. For example, a person might believe they have superpowers or can control others’ minds. They may believe that someone can see them through the television or that others are out to get them. 
• Disorganized speech – Another potential symptom of schizophrenia can be disorganized speech, which causes an individual to struggle to communicate coherently. They may string words together that don’t seem to make sense or switch topics rapidly that aren’t relevant to one another.
• Odd behavior – While experiencing psychosis, an individual with schizophrenia may act in a way that appears strange or unnatural. They might engage in repetitive behaviors or become catatonic, meaning that they may appear almost stoic and move and speak very little. The person may look as if they’re obsessively involved in one task, such as writing or note-taking, for hours on end.
• Lack of outward emotion – A person with schizophrenia may appear to have a flat affect or seem emotionless. 

Exploring more on schizophrenia symptoms

People with schizophrenia can present with a wide variety of both physical and cognitive symptoms. The main symptoms of schizophrenia include:

• Hallucinations, such as seeing things that don’t exist, or hearing voices
• Delusions, or holding fast to untrue beliefs despite evidence to the contrary
• Negative symptoms, which means losing the ability to perform in expected ways. Examples may include speaking in a flat voice, or not using facial expressions
• Incoherent or disorganized speech
• Abnormal motor behavior such as tremors, unexpected movements, or less-than-typical movement

Early warning signs that you or a loved one may be developing schizophrenia include:

• Feelings of paranoia 
• Ceasing to care about personal hygiene
• Using recreational drugs, alcohol, or cigarettes to ease symptoms
• Feelings of anxiety, depression, and suicidal thoughts
• Psychotic symptoms can be experienced in other mental illnesses, so a psychotic episode may not be an indicator of schizophrenia. A medical or mental health professional needs to make the diagnosis based on the criteria presented in the DSM-5.

Psychosis

Many people living with schizophrenia experience psychosis at one point or another. Rather than being its own condition, psychosis can be viewed as a collection of symptoms affecting the mind. Its main symptom is usually a sense that things aren’t real. This dysregulation can lead to other symptoms, such as paranoia, delusions, and hallucinations.

Some individuals can identify that they’re experiencing psychosis as it’s happening or see the warning signs before it starts, but others might not have this level of awareness. 

Here are some signs that psychosis may be developing:

• Poor performance at school or work
• Social isolation or spending a lot of time alone
• Paranoia or distrust of others
• Lack of self-care or poor hygiene
• Emotional numbness or lack of feelings

Some of these signs can also be overlapping symptoms of depression. Therefore, they generally must be considered within the context of the situation and individual.

The most common way to manage psychosis is usually by taking antipsychotic medications. It can be crucial to always speak with a doctor or other medical professional before starting or stopping a medication.

Is schizophrenia a dangerous diagnosis?

Schizophrenia can be a serious mental health disorder, but it’s not inherently dangerous, and fighting against this stigma can be vital. You can live with schizophrenia and lead a healthy, productive life, including having a job and a family. Most individuals who have schizophrenia are not violent and tend to be more likely to be the target of a crime than the perpetrator. 

However, it can still be crucial to seek treatment for schizophrenia. Left untreated, the condition can lead to depression, job loss, an inability to work, social isolation, homelessness, or even suicide*. As soon as you notice that you or a loved one is displaying symptoms, it can be essential to seek professional treatment.

*If you or a loved one are experiencing thoughts of suicide, please know that help is available. You can call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline anytime, 24/7, at 988.

How is it diagnosed?

To be diagnosed with schizophrenia, an individual must generally meet certain diagnostic criteria in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). There are typically five main symptoms of schizophrenia, and a person must have at least two of them to qualify for a diagnosis. These symptoms must last for a minimum of one month and impact the individual’s ability to function at work, school, or in relationships. Consider these steps when seeking a diagnosis, and note that a diagnosis can only be provided by a licensed professional:

•  General physical examination – Before you see a mental health professional, seeing your regular doctor to determine if there are other medical conditions present can be critical. They may ask questions and take bloodwork to rule out any other complications. Your doctor will likely run tests or schedule an MRI or CT scan to see if there could be another neurological condition causing your symptoms. To receive a schizophrenia diagnosis, your symptoms must not be due to a medical condition or other underlying concern.
• Seeing a mental health professional – Once you’ve ruled out medical conditions, your next step may be to visit a mental health provider, like a therapist or psychiatrist. To screen for schizophrenia, they’ll normally observe your behavior and ask you about your thoughts and current mood. If necessary, they can diagnose schizophrenia by assessing your symptoms and using the DSM-5 as a part of the evaluation process.

What is schizoaffective disorder?

Schizoaffective disorder can be defined as a condition that combines symptoms of schizophrenia with those of depression or mania. Individuals with schizoaffective disorder can experience hallucinations or delusions coupled with a mood disorder. There are generally two types of schizoaffective disorder:

• Bipolar type – Occurs when the individual experiences symptoms of schizophrenia along with mania and potentially depression
• Depressive type – Occurs when a person has symptoms of schizophrenia coupled with symptoms of depression 

Schizoaffective disorder tends to differ from schizophrenia in that the individual may experience both mood swings and psychosis. Some experts believe that schizoaffective disorder may be a more severe form of schizophrenia.

Schizophrenia causes

Schizophrenia has not been linked to one cause, and researchers believe that mental disorders of this kind can have may be developed due to one or more of the following risk factors:

• Biological factors: brain structure, brain chemistry, or brain development issues
• Environmental factors:  extreme stress, certain illnesses, or heavy recreational drug use
• Genetic factors: A family history of schizophrenia, especially in close relatives like a sibling or parent can increase risk of this mental disorder

Treatment options

Many with schizophrenia require lifelong treatment, although in certain cases early treatment may allow for complete recovery. However, when treating schizophrenia most experts will consider someone who recovers “in remission”. Schizophrenia can be a serious mental illness and is typically treated with a combination of approaches including:

• Mental health services. This includes psychotherapy, and in some cases inpatient care and electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). Schizophrenia treated with ECT is generally a form which has not responded to other treatments. 
• Antipsychotic medications
• Other prescription medications to treat symptoms such as tremors or co-occurring mood disorders

Schizophrenia currently doesn’t have a cure. It can be considered a lifelong disorder that requires continual treatment, even when symptoms are no longer as noticeable. Antipsychotic medications can be common when treating this disorder, but people may also be prescribed medication for anxiety, depression, or other conditions. Never start, stop, or change the way you take medication without the guidance of a licensed medical professional.

Talk therapy can be useful, including cognitive behavioral therapy to address negative thoughts and family therapy to help families adjust to the diagnosis. A mental health professional can be instrumental in creating an effective treatment plan to help an individual manage their symptoms and lead a productive life.

Whether you’re experiencing symptoms of schizophrenia yourself or have a loved one with the condition, support is available. Managing life with a schizophrenia spectrum diagnosis often requires professional intervention, which you can now receive online. With an online therapy platform like BetterHelp, you can connect with a qualified therapist through videoconferences, phone calls, or online chat. Please note that symptoms of psychosis should generally be treated with in-person interventions, while online therapy can be used to manage mental health when a person is not actively experiencing psychosis.

Research has shown that online therapy can be an effective intervention for addressing symptoms associated with schizophrenia. In one study, researchers found that a 12-session online mindfulness-based intervention generally reduced symptoms of depression, anxiety, and distressing voices in those with a schizophrenia spectrum diagnosis. They compared these results to face-to-face mindfulness interventions and found that the outcomes tended to be similar, suggesting the equivalent efficacy of in-person and online therapy.

Takeaway

Schizophrenia can be a complex mental health condition to understand and manage. Because there are often numerous myths surrounding this disorder, it can be important to seek support from a licensed mental health professional, such as a therapist. They can determine a solid treatment plan and help you or your loved one live a healthier, fuller life. The articles in this section can help you learn more about schizophrenia and its associated disorders, which may be helpful if you’re experiencing symptoms or want to be part of a loved one’s support network. If you or a loved one is living with a schizophrenia spectrum diagnosis, consider connecting with a BetterHelp therapist online for one-on-one guidance and treatment.