Copyright (c) 2007 Steven Magill
When literally translated from its Greek roots, the word “schizophrenia” means “split mind.” It is this translation that has led many people to confuse multiple personality disorder with schizophrenia. While they are so similar that scientists used to classify MPD as a form of schizophrenia, it has since been proven that the two diseases are actually independent of each other. This article is going to give a basic rundown of the signs of schizophrenia.
Delusions are very common signs of schizophrenia with people suffering from signs of schizophrenia. Delusion is the word that is given to beliefs that the schizophrenic has that other people do not also have. An example of this is the belief that somehow their internal thoughts are being broadcast for the rest of the world to hear. Delusions can also come in the form of thinking that they are being hunted down by an outside entity. Sometimes delusions come in the form of the schizophrenic believing that he or she has super powers and super abilities that they do not actually have.
Hallucinations are another of the common signs of schizophrenia. Hallucinations are typically in the form of voices heard by the person who is suffering from the disease. The voices come from outside of the schizophrenic’s head (this is one of the major differences between multiple personality disorder and schizophrenia). Sometimes the voices do not have a physical point of origin. Sometimes the voices come from something that would not ordinarily be talking and sometimes the voices come from people that only the schizophrenic can see and hear. These hallucinations often encourage or influence the schizophrenic’s behaviour. Sometimes the hallucinations take on other sensations like smells and tastes.
Disorganized thinking and languages are more of the common signs of schizophrenia. People who suffer from schizophrenia will sometimes talk in ways that are difficult for other people to understand. Their thoughts will sometimes stop following a coherent pattern and their speech can vary wildly. Schizophrenics will often talk about several subjects at the same time but will not connect the subjects to a central theme. They will skip from subject to subject without warning.
There are a multitude of other signs of schizophrenia. Schizophrenics are often depressed, prone to mood swings and have problems connecting with other people. They can be very withdrawn. Schizophrenics will have a hard time going about their daily tasks like bathing, getting dressed and eating. Some other signs of schizophrenia include problems with movement. There is a form of schizophrenia called Catatonic schizophrenia. With catatonic schizophrenia, the patient can be just as likely to stop moving altogether as they are to experience erratic and uncontrollable movement.
Most of the signs of schizophrenia are also associated with other mental disorders and because of this, the disease can be hard to diagnose. The key to getting treatment is to see a professional as soon as possible if you or someone you know starts to exhibit signs of schizophrenia.
Tip #1
Schizophrenia is not the same thing as having multiple personality disorder. In multiple personality disorder a person has a number of independent identities that all share one host body. Typically one of the personalities is dominant and the others exist under the surface. With Schizophrenia, there could be independent personalities but the person suffering from the disease believes that these identities exist outside of him or herself.