A majority of patients suffering from schizophrenia are afflicted with the type known as paranoid schizophrenia. Generally, a person with this disorder tends to be delusional, believing what is not true (ie delusions), or hearing things that nobody else hears. The latter is also known as auditory hallucinations.
What are the signs and symptoms?
While the main symptom of paranoid schizophrenia is psychosis, there are some early signs to look out for. These include withdrawing from social contact with other people, anxiety, inability to cope with normal daily functions, as well as unusual or strange behavior.
Having said this, on occasion, the disorder may appear suddenly with the classic symptoms of psychosis. You might want to note that psychosis is often times manifested as what most of us think of as “psychotic” behavior. Examples are delusions and hallucinations during which the patient “hears things”.
Delusional behavior
Typically, a person who has delusions tends to misinterpret their experiences and then will hang on to the misinterpretations even though they are unreasonable or there is evidence to show they are unrealistic.
The paranoia experienced by patients usually includes perceived persecution by others or situations where their trust is compromised. He or she might believe that
1. The police is after them, or
2. People are planning to poison their food, or
3. Everyone on the street is talking about them behind their backs and plotting against them.
Occasionally, these unfounded fears become so severe that the patient may resort to violence in the belief that self-defense is required.
Some patients might also believe that they are famous or even have superhuman abilities. The latter can potentially pose a danger to the patient if he or she believes, for example, that they can fly and attempts to show off this “ability”
Auditory hallucinations
Another common symptom of paranoid schizophrenia is patients hearing voices that that no one else can hear. These can be a single voice or multiple voices talking at the same time.
Usually, the voices will be nasty, criticizing or harassing the patient. The voices might even instruct the patient to do things that are harmful to him or her, and to others.
Patients tend to respond back to the voices, conversing with them or shouting back at them. As far as they are concerned, the voices are real.
As with other types of schizophrenia, there is no actual cure for paranoid schizophrenia. The good news is that prescribed medication and care is available to help the sufferer manage the disorder and lead a fairly normal life.
Important Fact #1: Possible Signs Of Schizophrenia
Look out for any of the following signs of schizophrenia -- paranoia, delusions, inactivity or hyperactivity, unusual/strange or lack of emotional responses, over or under sensitivity, self-imposed social isolation, hostility, lack of interest in proper personal hygiene and extreme depression. |
Important Fact #2: Mention Of Suicide
Patients with schizophrenia are more likely to try taking their lives. At all times, take any mention of suicide by them seriously and seek medical assistance. |
Important Fact #3: Curing Schizophrenia
Schizophrenia cannot be completely cured. However medical experts will tell you that 90% of people with the disorder can look forward to recovering to a degree that will enable them to function and lead happy lives. |
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