Symptoms of Schizophrenia

Back

When you become unwell, you are likely to show significant changes in your behaviour. For some people this can happen quite suddenly, but for others these changes may occur more gradually. You may become upset, anxious, confused and suspicious of other people, particularly anyone who doesn’t agree with your perspectives. You may be unaware, or reluctant to believe, that you need help.

In making a diagnosis, doctors will want to rule out other physical or mental health problems. They will look for various ‘positive’ symptoms and ‘negative’ symptoms, and make a diagnosis based on the presence and duration of some or all of these symptoms.


Positive symptoms

‘Positive’ symptoms are symptoms that most people do not normally experience. They include: strange thinking (‘thought disorder’), hallucinations and delusions.


Strange thinking (‘thought disorder’)

Your thoughts and ideas may seem jumbled and make little sense to others. Conversation may be very difficult and this may contribute to a sense of loneliness and isolation.


Hallucinations

Hallucinations can affect any of your senses. You might:

  • see things that others don’t
  • smell things that others don’t
  • hear voices or sounds that others don’t.

Voices can be familiar or strange, friendly or critical and might discuss your thoughts or behaviour. The voices you hear might tell you to do things. People who are diagnosed with schizophrenia seem to hear mostly critical or unfriendly voices. You may have heard voices all your life, but a stressful life event might have made the voices harsher and more difficult to deal with.

“I can ignore the voices most of the time but some days it’s insistent and frightening.”

According to some research, up to four per cent of the population hear voices. For most people, the voices they hear present no problem and are not associated with schizophrenia.


Delusions

Delusions are usually strongly held beliefs or experiences that are not in line with a generally accepted reality. Delusions associated with schizophrenia are probably distressing for you, or those around you, as they may be unusual or extreme. For instance, you might believe secret agents are following you or that outside forces are controlling you or putting thoughts into your mind. For more information, see Mind’s booklets, Understanding paranoia and Understanding psychotic experiences.


Negative symptoms

‘Negative’ symptoms are a lack of some emotional responses or thought processes. ‘Negative’ symptoms include: lack of interest, emotional flatness, inability to concentrate, wanting to avoid people or to be protected.

“I was finding it difficult to talk; the words in my mind just would not come out.”

Being withdrawn, apathetic and unable to concentrate are all described as ‘negative’ rather than ‘positive’, because they show a reduction in thought or function. It can be very difficult to tell whether negative symptoms are part of the schizophrenia, or whether they are present because you are reacting to other frightening or distressing symptoms. For example, a person with a mental health problem may be discriminated against or ignored, causing them to feel isolated and depressed and so they withdraw.


Different diagnoses

There are different types of schizophrenia. The most common one is paranoid schizophrenia. If you don’t have all the symptoms used to diagnose schizophrenia, you may be given a diagnosis of ‘borderline schizophrenia’.

If you have any doubts about the diagnosis you have been given, you can always ask for a second opinion.


View as PDF


Back


The Have I Got A Problem website is a free online resource to help people better understand any issues or concerns they may have about mental health or addiction. The website includes resources specifically focused to; general Mental Health, Depression, Stress, Anxiety, Insecurities, Self-harm Schizophrenia, Bipolar, Anger Management, Eating Disorders, Coping, general Addiction, Alcohol, Smoking, Gambling, Drugs, Cocaine, Heroin, Marijuana (Cannabis) Ecstasy, PCP, Mephedrone, Ketamine & Crystal Meth.

The site was created to give the public information to help them understand mental health and addiction issues and to assist people in making better informed decisions about their life and personal choices.

www.haveigotaproblem.com was created and is run by 'Advising Communities’, which is a UK registered charity (Charity No. 1061055)

Quotes

"My illness has been abated, I am productive again, and I plan on having a normal existence for the rest of my life."

Kurt

MoreSend us your Quotes

Tips & Hints

  • Spot the signs of an acute schizophrenic episode

    Learning to recognise the signs that you’re becoming unwell can help you manage your illness. These signs can include losing your app...
    More
  • Avoid drugs and alcohol

    While alcohol and drugs may provide short-term relief from your symptoms of schizophrenia, they are likely to make your symptoms worse ...
    More
  • Take your medication

    It is important to take your medication as prescribed, even if you don’t start to feel better immediately. Continuous medication can ...
    More
  • Have regular reviews

    As part of the care program approach, you will be in contact with your healthcare team regularly. A good relationship with the team mea...
    More
  • Self-care

    Self-care is an integral part of daily life. It means that you take responsibility for your own health and wellbeing with support from ...
    More
  • More Tips & Hints