Schizophrenia: Types, Symptoms, Causes, and Treatments

This piece of content covers what is schizophrenia, what are the symptoms, what causes it, and how you will get schizophrenia treatment.

What is Schizophrenia?

It is a serious mental health issue when a person couldn’t figure out between reality and imagination. This starts in early adulthood. And, it is considered onset when it occurs before the age of 18. However, this is very rare. There are different types of schizophrenia. You might get negative and positive symptoms.

Well, this is a mental disorder that needs proper treatment from the best psychiatrist in Delhi. If you already know that you or any of your loved ones have schizophrenia then you must get schizophrenia treatment in Delhi as here you will find highly-qualified professionals.

What are the symptoms of schizophrenia?

Schizophrenia occurs when you start facing problems with your thinking, emotions, or feeling. The symptoms may vary from one person to the next, but this involves a few common symptoms like-

• Hallucination
• Delusion
• Disorganized thinking
• Lack of motivation
• Changes in sleep pattern
• Slow movement
• Less interest in social activities

You will be diagnosed with schizophrenia if you have any or some of the above-stated symptoms. But, not everyone will experience the same symptoms. And, the symptoms of schizophrenia may affect how you cope with your daily life activities.

Schizophrenia affects around 1 in 100 people. This occurs in the early 20s and then develops slowly. And, can experience ‘positive’ and ‘negative’ schizophrenia. Positive can be hallucinations and delusions when you see or feel things that other people don’t. And, negative symptoms can be losing the motivation to work. And this symptom lasts longer than the positive symptom.

For some people, schizophrenia can develop during young adulthood and develop slowly. There are different types of schizophrenia and the early stage of the illness is known as the ‘prodromal phase’. This is the starting stage and here the patient will face changes in his sleep, emotions, communication, motivation, and ability to think clearly.

Types of Schizophrenia

There are five types of schizophrenia but commonly referred to as three types –  

• Paranoid Schizophrenia
• Hebephrenic Schizophrenia
• Catatonic Schizophrenia

But, if you want to figure out whether you have schizophrenia or not, you must know about the different types of schizophrenia.

Simple Schizophrenia

This is a type of negative schizophrenia. Because the symptoms of this illness are lack of concentration, poor memory, and slow movements. And, with its name, you can know that it is not severe problems like delusions and hallucinations hence, it is named simple schizophrenia.

Hebephrenic Schizophrenia

This is a type of schizophrenia that occurs in people in the age group of 15-25 years and is commonly known as disorganized schizophrenia. People who are diagnosed with hebephrenic or disorganized schizophrenia show no facial expressions. They will always seem blank and emotionless. 

Paranoid Schizophrenia

This type of schizophrenia is common among the older age group of 45 years and above. In this, the person shows the symptoms of delusions and hallucinations.

Catatonic Schizophrenia

This is the most uncommon and unusual type of schizophrenia. This affects the person’s mood, communication behavior, and movement. He may stay silent but then start mimicking others’ speech and actions.

Residual Schizophrenia

It happens with those, who already have gone through an episode of schizophrenia but no longer have the symptoms of delusions and hallucinations.

Well, it is important to know the type of schizophrenia the person is suffering from. Then the proper treatment and care can be provided to them. If you have a few symptoms of schizophrenia but don’t know its type then your psychiatrist will diagnose the illness. Also, provide the right treatment. 

What Can Cause Schizophrenia?

The exact causes of schizophrenia are unknown. But, doctors say that the combination of physical, mental, genetic, and environmental factors is the main cause of the illness. As it is the result of several factors, the following could cause a person schizophrenia: –

Stress: – People who are too stressed slowly start developing the symptoms of schizophrenia. Any stressful event like the death of a loved one, loss of a job, or a breakup. can develop this mental disorder.

Genetics:- If any of your family members or close relative has the same illness, then you are likely to develop schizophrenia.

Brain damages: – It is the damage that stopped your brain from growing normally may be when your mother was pregnant or at the time of your birth.

Alcohol or drugs: – Regular consumption of alcohol or drugs alone can cause some mental disorders like a hallucination.

A difficult childhood:- If a person was deprived or abused in childhood days, then this increases the risk of this mental illness.

Treatment

If you think the above-mentioned symptoms match your current condition, then it’s time for you to know where you get treatment from. Well, there are different types of schizophrenia treatment available. Your medical professional will work to find the best treatment for you.

You might not get effective results instantly, you will have to continue the treatment for a long period to help you do well. Different people will react differently to the treatments. But, do not worry, your psychiatrist knows the best and he will help in reducing the symptoms and make life easier for you.

This mental disorder can be treated by a psychiatrist only. He will work with you to diagnose the type of schizophrenia you are suffering from. Then he will recommend a medication that can work to reduce the symptoms. He will let you know both effects and side effects of the drug and will leave it up to you to choose the medication of your choice from the given options. But, these medications will reduce the symptoms and will not cure the illness.