Schizophrenia And Handwriting |
Handwriting is beginning to get a lot of attention as a possible indicator of disease. Is there in fact a link between schizophrenia and handwriting?
On the assumption that your handwriting requires you to act in a mental and physical manner, it is perfectly reasonable to believe that your handwriting will change according to any mental and physiological differences in your overall state.
Many scientists believe that because handwriting is a result of brain impulses and your central nervous system, changes in how you write can be analyzed for how psychologically or physiologically stable the writer is. The basic assumption is that potential bad health will manifest in your handwriting before they appear as symptoms in your body.
A good example is how the handwriting of elderly people reflects the shaking and tremor that is common with this group when they attempt to write. Also, people with Parkinson’s Disease have a tendency to write smaller.
In fact many researchers believe that various diseases and disorders can be determined from handwriting, supposedly ahead of potential symptoms showing. Aside from symptoms of schizophrenia and handwriting as a link, other illnesses that could be detected include brain damage, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s disease, Huntington’s chorea, personality disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, arthritis, heart disease, high blood pressure, cancer and alcohol and substance abuse.
While new and requires further in-depth research, the concept of changes in your handwriting as an indicator of disease and disorders holds much promise as an alternative diagnostic tool.
As for schizophrenia and handwriting, a study was conducted in France in which 40 sufferers of schizophrenia had their handwriting analyzed. The findings showed that there were at least 10 specific features of handwriting among the sufferers that did not show or showed to a much lesser degree in a control group.
Additional studies indicate that because handwriting is a result of your muscles releasing and binding, it is in fact an expression of such muscular “releasing” and contraction. The flow of these two opposing actions results in the rhythm of the handwriting.
In a healthy person, this tension and release of the muscles controlling the handwriting is rhythmically integrated. The handwriting of a person with schizophrenia tends to be graphically exaggerated to quite an extent.
Common features of the handwriting of schizophrenics are strange letter formations, words that make no sense, writing that is totally unintelligible or which is impossible to decipher, and lines may run crosswise. In other instances, the script becomes very large and words become bigger as a sentence progresses. Lines rise or the writing becomes very stiff. Rhythmic disorganization is another indicator. Look out also for letters and syllables being left out, slants that vary and lines that stray in different directions.
The relationship between schizophrenia and handwriting is not as yet an exact science. However, if you find that your loved one’s or friend’s handwriting is starting to deteriorate as described above, a mental illness like schizophrenia might well be developing ahead of any obvious medical symptoms. Take heed and get that person medical attention as soon as possible.
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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