Making a Schizophrenia Diagnosis

Unfortunately, obtaining a schizophrenia diagnosis is not as easy as running a quick blood test or pushing the patient through a brain scanner. While researchers are running clinical trials on tests like that, the current reality is that they are only able to define paranoid schizophrenia through its signs and symptoms. The causes of this debilitating disorder that affects 1% of the American population, are poorly understood but given proper medication and psychiatric therapy, an individual can live independently and successfully.

Before a diagnosis of schizophrenia is made, the patient is subjected to a regular physical exam that includes checking height, weight, blood pressure, heart rate, temperature, heart, lungs and abdomen function. Tests like a complete blood count, alcohol and drug screening and an MRI might be able to rule out other causes. Next, a mental health practitioner will talk to the patient about his or her thoughts, feelings and behaviors. According to the American Psychiatric Association, the symptoms of schizophrenia includes significant impairment in the ability to work or perform daily routines, signs that last 6 months or more and the presence of delusions, hallucinations, catatonic behavior, disorganized behavior and/or disorganized speech.

Currently, there are no medical tests that can accurately provide a schizophrenia diagnosis. Sometimes doctors will still perform a few tests to rule out other medical conditions. Patients are typically observed for a period of one to six months before an official diagnosis is made. The doctor will look for positive symptoms of paranoid schizophrenia, like bizarre delusions and auditory hallucinations, where voices are conversing or issuing a running commentary on the patient's life, occasionally barking orders that disturb a person's behavior. The doctor will also look for negative symptoms, such as the inability to express emotion, catatonia, inappropriate emotions, uncontrolled grimacing or smirking, social anxiety and depressive, suicidal thoughts.

The National Institute of Mental Health is currently funding additional studies to see if magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can offer a means for diagnosing schizophrenia. Scientists at the University of Pennsylvania Health System, led by Christos Davatzikos PhD, claim that they have found diagnostic criteria for schizophrenia within brain scan images. He says diagnosis for this psychotic disorder is 91% accurate using MRI technology. "This is the first time this level of predictive power of MRI for classification of schizophrenia is demonstrated in a study of this magnitude," Davatzikos says. "This tells us there are unique patterns we can use and explore when we want to diagnose patients with schizophrenia." He says they found reduced volume in certain areas of the brain associated with learning, memory and motivation.

Once a schizophrenia diagnosis is made, the possibility of recovering from this illness is slim to none. Most people are treated with antipsychotic medications, like Clozapine or Risperidol, but the patients must remain on these medications to prevent future psychotic episodes. Side effects may include weight gain and a heightened risk of cancer or heart attack. Unfortunately, there are few other options for people who suffer from schizophrenia. The good news is that there are many community programs that offer individual and family counseling to help people understand and cope with the disorder.

Related topics about schizophrenia diagnosis
Treating Schizophrenia Takes Commitment
Several factors seem to influence the prognosis for treating schizophrenia. For instance, a family history of schizophrenia may make it more difficult for an individual to recover, especially if others in the house are not receiving treatment for their thought disorders. Generally, patients who see a sudden onset (as opposed to a gradual one) fare better in recovery, as do patients who are older.

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.

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.