Does everyone with schizophrenia need treatment?

If schizophrenia is untreated, it can result in severe behavioral, emotional and physical health problems. Complications that are common with schizophrenia include suicide, self-destructive behaviors, depression, poverty, homelessness, difficulty in interpersonal relationships and family conflicts. Moreover, even if you are treated, the medications have many side effects. In general, schizophrenic individuals are often victims of crime because of their inability to differentiate safe from dangerous (and there are many evil people who take advantage of these unfortunate individuals). It is important for family members to read about schizophrenia so that they have a better understanding of the disorder and help provide care to the affected individual. 

Are there any risk factors that may precipitate schizophrenia?

While the cause of schizophrenia is not understood, some risk factors have been identified. These include a family history of schizophrenia, stressful life circumstances during childhood, older parental age at birth, use of illicit drugs during adolescence and perhaps exposure of the mother to certain virus or toxins during pregnancy. Again, these are only speculations and no one really knows why or how the disorder occurs.

What is the cause of schizophrenia?

The cause of schizophrenia is a mystery and despite intense research over the past 40 years, no physical cause has ever been identified. The diagnosis of the condition is based on history and clinical presentation. There are no laboratory studies or x-rays available that can help make the diagnosis. Once the diagnosis is made, treatment is lifelong. Individuals who do not undergo treatment develop disabling thoughts, hear voices and are not able to function in life. 

I am 22 and have been told I have schizophrenia. What is the major problem with this disorder?

Schizophrenia is a group of chronic brain disorders whereby individuals simply cannot differentiate fact from fiction. The disturbance in reality is also associated with hallucinations, delusions and disturbed thought processes. The disease tends to present itself in the 20s and is progressive. With time, most individuals are unable to take care of themselves and require institutionalization. Schizophrenia is a dreaded disorder where the balance between normal thoughts and emotions is completely fragmented. Some individuals also develop negative symptoms that may appear months or years before the hallucinations and delusions. These symptoms include social isolation, loss of motivation, no interest in everyday life, lack of emotion, neglect of personal hygiene, difficulty with memory and no attention span. Most of these individuals have trouble at work and home and often run into difficulties with the law. 

Is there any book I can buy to learn more about schizophrenia?

There are hundreds of books about schizophrenia in retail stores. However, for the consumer there is adequate information about schizophrenia on cyberspace and there is absolutely no need to buy any books. Sites like Mayo clinic and Medscape have more than ample information on this subject. These sites are maintained by physicians and are devoid of any advertisements and the information is unbiased. Moreover, you can even ask questions and get answers free from a physician – which is extremely rare today.  The majority of books about schizophrenia are written for professionals and thus, the layperson may not be able to understand all the information. However, there are a few books about schizophrenia written by non-health professionals which are easy to understand but these do not provide in depth knowledge about the medications used to treat this mental health disorder.

How many subtypes of schizophrenia are known?

The aim of all the tests is to differentiate between the several subtypes of schizophrenia, but not everyone fits in a specific category. The five common types of schizophrenia include 1) paranoid, 2) catatonic 3) disorganized 4) undifferentiated and 5) residual.

The majority of patients have the undifferentiated subtype whose dominant symptoms may be from any one of the other subtypes. The paranoid schizophrenia subtype is characterized by delusions and hallucinations, and has the best chance of improvement.

Does one have to have specific mental symptoms to be diagnosed as schizophrenic?

Yes, the diagnosis of schizophrenia is based on certain criteria established by the Diagnostic and statistical Manual of mental Disorders (DSM). The schizophrenia diagnostic test requires that an individual have at least two of the common symptoms of the disorder like delusions, hallucination, disorganized speech, abnormal behaviors or presence of negative symptoms for one month. Moreover, the schizophrenia test must indicate that the individual is significantly impaired and unable to work, attend school of perform daily living tasks. The symptoms must be present for at least 6 months.

Is there a blood test for schizophrenia?

When doctors suspect a mental health disorder with paranoia, the first schizophrenia diagnostic test is to conduct a proper physical exam and a number of psychological tests. The schizophrenia diagnosis test usually involves answering standardized questionnaires. Schizophrenia symptoms test also involves performing laboratory tests to help rule out any other medical condition and to screen for alcohol, prescription and illicit drugs. Some doctors will often order a CT scan or an MRI to make sure that there is no sinister pathology lurking in the brain. You will also undergo comprehensive psychological evaluation where a professional will observe your appearance, mannerism, speech, behavior and asking about different thoughts, delusions, hallucinations and potential for harm.

How is the diagnosis of schizophrenia usually made?

There are no definitive diagnostics tests for schizophrenia. If you have a family member or a friend whom you suspect of having symptoms of schizophrenia, the first step is to see your doctor.  Ultimately, you may be referred to a psychiatrist, as most general practitioners do not understand the intricacies about treating this peculiar mental disorder. The schizophrenia diagnostic test means that you write down all your symptoms and when they started. You also need to include all the recent stress or life changes that have taken place. The schizophrenia symptoms test also requires that you provide a list of all the medications, vitamins and supplements that you are taking.

Before you go to the doctor for your schizophrenia symptom test, write down questions that you want answered. Some basic questions that you should ask include 1) what is the likely cause for the symptoms, 2) what are other possibilities, 3) what type of test are required, 4) Is the condition chronic, 5) how is it treated and 6) where can I find material to read about the disorder.