| The symptoms of schizophrenia are numerous and | | | | patterns. They find it difficult to concentrate and are |
| can mimic other mental health challenges, such as | | | | easily distracted. Thought disorders make it very |
| depression and bipolar disorder. There is no litmus | | | | challenging for a person suffering from schizophrenia |
| test for diagnosing schizophrenia; only a psychiatrist | | | | to carry on a conversation, an enigma that often |
| can correctly diagnose and treat it. | | | | results in social isolation.o Agitated body movements |
| The symptoms of schizophrenia are divided into two | | | | known as movement disorders are another kind of |
| groups, positive and negative. Psychological | | | | positive symptom. In one example, a person with a |
| disturbances "added" to the patient's behavior as a | | | | movement disorder may repeat certain motions again |
| result of the illness are known as positive symptoms. | | | | and again. In another example, a person could |
| These include:o Hallucinations or distorted perceptions | | | | become catatonic, though catatonia is not often seen |
| of reality, sometimes interpreted by friends and | | | | today with the development of effective treatments. |
| family as unconventional imagination. The hallucinations | | | | Psychological capabilities the schizophrenic person has |
| can involve hearing voices, sight, touch and smell.o | | | | "lost" as a result of his illness are known as negative |
| Other frequently occurring positive symptoms are | | | | symptoms and may include:o A complete loss of |
| delusions. People suffering from schizophrenia may | | | | enthusiasm and interest in things that were once |
| believe that what they think and feel is real when it | | | | important to him. The person with schizophrenia can |
| is not. Paranoid delusions can manifest as irrational | | | | take no pleasure in everyday life.o Becoming socially |
| beliefs of being cheated, poisoned or harassed. They | | | | withdrawn, isolated, preferring their own company to |
| may feel that others are "out to get them." | | | | contact with others. When they are forced into |
| Conversely, delusions of grandeur can make them | | | | situations with others, people with schizophrenia do |
| feel on top of the world, even important or famous. | | | | not interact at all. They are incapable of beginning and |
| People with schizophrenia often report bizarre | | | | sustaining planned activities.o Negative symptoms for |
| delusions, such as a neighbor controlling their lives by | | | | schizophrenic people also include apathy, appearing |
| some unconventional means or a character on | | | | completely indifferent to things going on around them |
| television sending them special messages.o Thought | | | | and showing no interest in taking part. They may |
| disorders often impair a schizophrenic person's ability | | | | spend all day doing nothing to the degree that they |
| to think clearly and connect thoughts into logical | | | | may even neglect personal hygiene. |