Five Types of Schizophrenia Disorder
The word "schizophrenia" derives from the Greek roots "skhizein" (to split) and "phren" (mind). Often people confuse this illness with split personality disorder/dissociative identity disorder, which is a different problem entirely. Swiss psychologist Eugene Bleuler (1857-1939) first coined the term because he felt schizophrenia was characterized by a "split mind," with sufferers often seeing or hearing things that are not there and believing in false delusions. By contrast, patients with dissociative identity disorder have several well-defined different personalities and actually believe they are someone else, depending on the day or time. The different types of schizophrenia are believed to be caused by brain malfunction, whereas patients with dissociative identity disorder often have a history of extreme physical or sexual abuse.
Of all the schizophrenia types, the most prevalent is paranoid schizophrenia, which is found in 40% of all affected patients. Paranoid-type schizophrenia is marked by delusions and hallucinations. Often, people feel they are being watched, spied on or sabotaged. In other cases, schizophrenics may have delusions of grandeur and feel they are here for a special purpose, such as a savior who was sent to warn the people about some impending disaster. Some individuals may be possessed by jealousy or incited with explosive anger suddenly.
Another one of the types of schizophrenia is catatonic-type schizophrenia. A study conducted by the Missouri Department of Health found that the prevalence of this type of schizophrenia has decreased significantly since 1930, but 1 in 1,000 cases are still classified under this category. Catatonic schizophrenia is characterized by long periods of sitting without moving or speaking. Disorganized-type (also sometimes called "hebephrenic schizophrenia") is a third type that appears as inappropriate emotions and eccentric behavior is conveyed. A person may grimace when being hugged or exhibit no emotion at all. They may be incredibly disorganized and have bizarre social manners.
Most types of schizophrenia (75% of all schizophrenics) experience illogical delusions in their acute phase of the disorder. Hallucinations are another type of acute "positive" symptom. Patients often report feeling as though bugs are crawling all over them, hearing voices and believing that there are sinister controlling forces out to get them. Often they'll grimace, pace, ramble, use nonsensical words and become violent. About 15-20% of schizophrenics try to kill themselves because the voices in their heads tell them to and up to 35% attempt suicide. Another 25-50% of patients with paranoid-type schizophrenia become dependent on drugs or alcohol. Once the acute symptoms fade, many people have residual-type schizophrenia, which involves inappropriate emotions, inability to experience pleasure, reduced attention span, social withdrawal and lack of motivation.
Related topics about schizophrenia disorder
Paranoid Schizophrenia: Answers to Your Questions
The absolute best source of information regarding paranoid schizophrenia is the Mayo Clinic. They have loads of information and can help people understand what this illness entails as well as the most current research in the field of schizophrenia. You can learn more by visiting the Mayo Clinic's website at www.
The Options in Schizophrenia Treatment
In the past, antipsychotic medications used in treating those with paranoid schizophrenia came with a host of negative side effects. Patients reported that their delusions and hallucinations subsided, but they began to suffer tremors and painful muscle spasms in their face and limbs. Typical antipsychotic drugs were not very selective in which dopamine receptors they blocked, which is why these side effects occurred.
Schizophrenia Research: Where Are We Now?
One good place to check for the latest research on this mental health disorder is www.elsevier.com.