
Schizophrenia is characterized by a disintegration of thinking processes and emotional responsiveness. It is most commonly manifested through bizarre delusions, auditory hallucinations, disorganized thinking and speech and paranoid delusions. It may eventually lead to social or occupational dysfunction. Symptoms generally occur in young adulthood and may be diagnosed based on a person's self-reported experiences and observed behaviors. The reliability of a schizophrenia diagnoses is generally correct; however, some symptoms overlap from major depression and bipolar. There are many causes of schizophrenia including genetics and environmental factors. Schizophrenia is significantly affected by heredity and its onset is significantly influenced by environmental stressors.
Psychotherapy for Schizophrenia
Psychotherapy is widely recommended and used in treating schizophrenia. Psychotherapy helps those affected with schizophrenia to increase social skills, develop higher self-esteem and gain insight to the mental health issues.In severe episodes of schizophrenia, hospitalization may occur. This may be voluntary or involuntary based on the situation. Schizophrenia may lead to other medical issues that need to be treated.
Types of Schizophrenia in the DSM
The DSM defines schizophrenia as a mental disorder characterized by disintegrating emotional responsiveness and thought processes. It has five different types:
• Catatonic – involves motorological and psychological disturbances; also known as catatonia
• Disorganized – involves reality distortion (delusions and hallucinations) and psychomotor poverty (poverty of speech); also known as foldermenia
• Paranoid – thought disorder and disorganized behavior are absent but hallucinations and delusions are present
• Residual – involves low intensity positive symptoms
• Undifferentiated – psychotic symptoms are present but criteria for the above types have not been met
If there is something important you'd like us to consider adding to this page, please feel free to suggest your ideas.
Cannabis-Related Psychosis May Not Increase Risk for Schizophrenia
Is Electroconvulsive Therapy Effective for Depression and Bipolar?
Continuous Care for Mentally Ill Veterans is a Matter of Life and Death
Link Between Childhood Sexual Abuse and Auditory Hallucinations
Does Adolescent Binge Drinking Lead to Alcohol Dependence?
Defining Reading Deficits Could Lead to Early Interventions for Schizophrenia
R-E-S-P-E-C-T: Find Out What It Means for Mentally Ill Suspects
Hopelessness Predicts Risk for Suicide in Individuals With Psychosis
Source Monitoring Deficits Detected in Schizophrenia
Dyskinesia (Involuntary Movements) Could Be Risk Factor for Schizophrenia
Get insight on mental health issues and therapy from our Topic Experts and Therapist Community Members.