Schizophrenia Symptoms

Schizophrenia: Introduction

Schizophrenia, meaning ‘a split mind’ in Greek, is a collection of complex mental disorders. It is a psychotic disorder wherein an affected individual experiences delusions and hallucinations and has a hard time distinguishing reality from imagination.

The psychological disorder commonly affects those in their late teens and adulthood. The sufferer is detached from reality and experiences episodes of hallucinations. This can involve disturbed thought, behavior, and speech. Severe schizophrenia inflicts its victims with a range of occupational, social and learning disabilities.

What are the Schizophrenia Symptoms?

Initial symptoms include a loss of appetite, loss of concentration and sleep or an overall disinterest in day to day tasks.

The cause of schizophrenia remains unknown. There are a number of experts who maintain that schizophrenia is a family disease (hereditary). But those without a family history can also get schizophrenia.

This creates difficulties in the way they communicate with the outside world. Symptoms and signs of schizophrenia vary among individuals.

Left untreated, it progress to an advanced stage where the affected person may become mentally ill with multiple psychiatric problems. These schizophrenia signs and symptoms may vary in duration and appear any time.

Some common symptoms for schizophrenia:

Delusions

Schizophrenic individuals develop false self perceptions. They can start feeling superior and endowed with special powers or may start feeling incredibly inferior. With time these feelings can convert into a strong belief.

Loss of Appetite

There is also a loss of interest in food for reasons that can include loss of taste or even tastelessness. To many, eating may appear to be a daunting task or an activity without pleasure.

Abnormal Reactions

There may be a burst of sudden or over reaction to seemingly normal situations. The sufferer may respond harshly or violently even towards someone wishing good health.

Hallucinations

One of the most common schizophrenia symptoms is hallucinations. It involves unreal experiences associated to the senses such as hearing, touch, vision and smell. An affected person may start hearing sounds that are non-existent.

As can be seen, victims of the disease often have an altered sense and experience with the world around them. Schizophrenia can have a sudden onset and can end as abruptly. Nonetheless, symptoms of schizophrenia can start gradually and linger for some time before fading.