Content

• Steps
• Advice
• Warning

The diagnosis of schizophrenia is a complex clinical process that has previously been a subject of controversy. You cannot diagnose schizophrenia on your own, but seek a clinical specialist such as a psychiatrist or clinical psychologist. Only a mental health professional can accurately diagnose schizophrenia. However, if you suspect that you have schizophrenia, you can explore some of the features to get a better look at schizophrenia and determine if you are at risk.

Steps

Part 1 of 5: Identifying Specific Symptoms

1. 

   Distinguish symptom-specific (Criterion A). To diagnose schizophrenia, the mental health clinician first looks for symptoms that fall into the following five “groups”: delusions, hallucinations, confused speech and thoughts, and confused motivated behavior. messy or unusual (including psychosis), and negative symptoms indicate decreased behavioral expression.
   • You must have at least 2 symptoms or more. Each symptom should occur for a significant amount of time in the 1-month cycle (less if symptoms have been treated). At least one of the two symptoms should belong to the group of delusions, hallucinations or confused speech.

2. 

   
   
   Recognize the delusions.Illusion is an absurd belief that often arises when the person perceives a threat, but the threat is not seen by all others. Delusions persist even though there is evidence that it cannot be true.
   • There is a difference between delusion and disbelief. Many people sometimes have unreasonable suspicions, such as claiming that a colleague is "intentionally causing them trouble" or thinking that they are being "chased by bad luck". You must make the distinction based on the level of these beliefs, whether they stress you to the point of not being productive.
   • For example, if you believe that the government is watching you to the point where you don't dare leave home to go to work or school, it is a sign of unreasonable beliefs that are destabilizing your life.
   • Occasionally there are very bizarre delusions, such as believing you are a supernatural creature or creature. If you find yourself believing in something that is out of the ordinary, here is ability is a sign of an illusion (but certainly not the only possibility).

3. 

   
   
   Notice if you have hallucinations.Illusion are sensory experiences that seem real but are actually only on your mind. Hallucinations usually take the form of hearing (hearing), visual hallucinations (seeing), hallucinations (smelling), or tactile hallucinations (to touch, like the feeling of crawling on the skin). Hallucinations can affect any of the senses.
   • For example, how often do you feel something crawling on your hand? Do you often hear sounds even without people around? Do you see things that "shouldn't have" been there, or have no one seen?

4. 

   
   
   Think about religious beliefs and cultural practices. Having a belief that others think is "strange" does not mean you are delusional. Likewise, seeing things that others do not see is not always a dangerous illusion. Faith can only be judged as "illusion" or dangerous when considering local religious and cultural customs. A person's beliefs and perceptions are often only signs of a psychosis or schizophrenia if it interferes with everyday life.
   • For example, the belief that bad deeds will be punished by “karma” or “karma” seems rather delusional in some cultures, but quite normal in others.
   • The perception of hallucinations also depends on cultural practices. For example, children in many cultures may experience auditory or visual hallucinations, such as hearing the voices of a deceased loved one without being considered psychotic, and they will not develop psychosis as adults. up.
   • Overly religious people are more likely to see or hear some unusual things, like hearing the voice of a god or seeing an angel. Many belief systems accept these experiences as real and good, even what they are always looking for. Unless the experience is stressful or dangerous for themselves or others, they are normally not a concern.

5. 

   Is your way of speaking and thinking confused? You should understand talking and thinking confused in its very literal sense. This means that you find it difficult to fully and thoroughly answer questions. Your answers are often off-topic, fragmentary or incomplete. In many cases, confused speech is also accompanied by an inability to look directly at the listener, or using non-verbal communication, such as using gestures or body language. You must ask other people to see if this happens.
   • In the case of severe illness the speech is "interwoven", the sequence of words and thoughts are not related and cannot be understood by the listener.
   • As with the other symptoms in this section, you must consider "messy" speech and thinking in the cultural and social contexts in which you live. For example, some beliefs claim that people will speak in strange language that cannot be understood when exposed to a certain divine figure. In addition, storytelling also has a very different structure between cultures, some places have oral stories that appear "strange" or "messy layout" for outsiders who are not familiar with the practice. customs and culture of the narrator.
   • Your language can only be considered messy if others are familiar with your cultural and religious practices and still cannot understand or interpret (or in situations where your language is “supposed to”). must understand).

6. 

   Identify psychotic or completely chaotic behavior.Psychotic or completely chaotic behavior manifests itself in a number of different ways. You may feel distracted, unable to even do simple tasks like washing your hands, or be unimaginably agitated, dull, or excited. "Unusual" behavioral motives manifest in the form of inappropriate, inattentive, outrageous, or purposeful behavior. For example, you might be waving your hands frantically or doing weird movements.
   • Mental disruption is another sign of abnormal behavioral motivation. For people with severe schizophrenia, they can sit still without talking for many consecutive days. People with psychiatric disorders do not respond to external stimuli, such as prompting to talk or physical touch such as touch and purr.

7. 

   Assessment of loss of function.Negative symptoms are symptoms that indicate “impaired” exhibiting “normal” behavior. For example, decreased emotional expression is a "negative symptom", even loss of interest in things you used to like or loss of motivation to work is considered negative functional impairment.
   • Negative symptoms can also be related to cognitive aspects, such as difficulty concentrating. Cognitive symptoms are often more damaging and easier to discern to others than the lack of attention or attention deficit commonly seen in people with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
   • Unlike ADD or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), cognitive difficulties occur in many different life contexts and cause significant problems.
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Part 2 of 5: Examining Your Life alongside Someone's Life

1. 

   Evaluate your work and social life (Criterion B). The second criterion for the diagnosis of schizophrenia is “occupational / social dysfunction”. Dysfunction must occur within a significant time of symptom onset. Many other health problems also cause dysfunction in work and social life, so even if you are having trouble in one or more areas of your life, it doesn't mean you are psychotic. paralysis. One or more of the "important" sectors negatively affected are:
   • Work / Study
   • Personal relations
   • Take care of yourself

2. 

   Think about how you handle your work. One of the criteria to evaluate "dysfunction" is the ability to fulfill job requirements. If you are still a working graduate student, you must consider your academic ability. Think about the following questions:
   • Do you feel confident every time you leave home to work or school?
   • Are you having trouble getting to class on time or being regularly scheduled?
   • Is there any part of the job you are afraid to do now?
   • If you are a student, have your academic results been negatively affected?

3. 

   Reflect on your relationship with others. This should be considered on the basis of what is normal for you. If you've always been a shy person, not wanting to communicate with others isn't necessarily a sign of dysfunction. However, if you notice that your behaviors and motivations are not “normal” for you, it may be something you need to let your mental health professional know.
   • Are you still interested in previous relationships?
   • Do you still like socializing the way you normally do?
   • Do you feel like you no longer enjoy talking to others as much as you used to?
   • Do you feel scared or anxious every time you interact with others?
   • Do you feel disturbed by others or suspect that they have an incentive to not want to let you know?

4. 

   Think about self-care. "Self-care" refers to the ability to take care of yourself to maintain health and function. This criterion also needs to be evaluated on the basis of "what is normal for you". So if you normally exercise 2-3 times per week but have stopped enjoying it for three months, that could be a sign of the disorder. The following behaviors are also signs of distraction from self-care:
   • You begin to use or increase substance abuse, such as alcohol or drugs
   • You don't get a good night's sleep or your sleep time varies widely (for example, you slept 2 hours last night, slept 14 hours tonight, etc.)
   • You are not "feeling" satisfied, or "bored".
   • Body hygiene is increasingly scandalous
   • Do not clean up the accommodation
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Part 3 of 5: Thinking About Another Possibility

1. 

   Notice how long symptoms have appeared (Criterion C). To diagnose schizophrenia, a mental health professional will ask you how long the disorder and symptoms have occurred. If the case is schizophrenic, the disorder must have been for at least 6 months.
   • This should include at least 1 month of the “active status” of the symptoms mentioned in Part 1 (Criterion A), although this 1 month requirement may be less if symptoms are treated. .
   • The 6-month period may also include periods of "aura" or residual symptoms. During these stages, symptoms can be less intense (ie "weak") or sometimes appear only "negative symptoms" such as having little emotion or not wanting to touch anything.

2. 

   Exclude diseases that could be the culprit (Criterion D). Emotional schizophrenia and bipolar disorder (or depression), along with psychotic characteristics, can produce symptoms very similar to schizophrenia. Other illnesses or physical injuries such as strokes and tumors also cause neurological disorders. That is why you really need help with a mental health clinician. You cannot distinguish these symptoms on your own.
   • The clinician will ask you if the moment of bittersweetness or severe depression coincides with when the symptoms were in "active phase".
   • Severe depression includes at least one of the following for a minimum of 2 weeks: anxiety or loss of interest, pleasure in previously enjoyed activities. Times of depression also include symptoms that are frequent or almost always occurring within that time frame, such as weight changes, sudden changes in sleep habits, fatigue, irritability or depression. feeling guilty or helpless, having trouble concentrating and thinking, often thinking about death. A mental health professional will help you determine if you've ever experienced a moment of major depression.
   • A bittersweet moment is a noticeable (usually at least a week) time when you have abnormally high euphoria, temper or open-mindedness. You also exhibit at least three other symptoms such as less desire to sleep, hype about yourself, fleeting or frivolous thinking, distraction, participation in more targeted activities, or participation excessive play activity, especially activities with the potential or risk of causing negative consequences. A mental health professional can help you determine if there have been bittersweet times.
   • They also ask you how long these moods last during the "active period" of the symptoms. If the timing of mood is brief compared to the time when symptoms occur in the active and remnant phase, this could be a sign of schizophrenia.

3. 

   Eliminate the cause of substance use (Criterion E). Substance use such as alcohol and drugs can cause symptoms similar to schizophrenia. When making a diagnosis, the clinician must ensure that the disorder and symptom you are having is not caused by the "direct physiological effect" of the stimulants, such as drugs and illegal drugs.
   • Even though it is legal, prescription drugs can cause side effects such as hallucinations. For the clinician, they must differentiate between the side effects of the drug use and the symptom of the disease.
   • Substance use disorder (often called “substance abuse”) often co-occurs with schizophrenia. Many people with schizophrenia try to "self-treat" their symptoms with drugs, alcohol, and drugs. A mental health professional will help determine if you are abusing substances.

4. 

   Consider your condition in connection with Comprehensive Developmental Delay or Autism Spectrum Disorder. This is another factor that the clinician needs to address. Comprehensive growth retardation or autism spectrum disorder also causes symptoms similar to schizophrenia.
   • If you were a child with a history of autism spectrum disorders or communication disorders, you can only make conclusions about schizophrenia when delusions or hallucinations occur. clearly.

5. 

   These criteria do not “guarantee” you with schizophrenia. The criteria for concluding schizophrenia and many other mental illnesses are considered to be yes many things in commom. This means that there are many ways to interpret symptoms and they also combine in different ways, and the behavior is not the same depending on the person's point of view. It is difficult to diagnose schizophrenia even for a trained specialist.
   • As noted above, it is likely that your symptoms stemmed from a trauma, illness, or disorder. You must ask a mental health professional to correctly diagnose your illness or disorder.
   • Cultural practices, individual characteristics of individuals and local people in the way of thinking and talking can influence the perception of a "normal" behavior.
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Part 4 of 5: Action

1. 

   Ask friends and family for help. There are things that I find very difficult to recognize, such as delusions. Therefore, ask family and friends to determine if you are showing these symptoms or not.

2. 

   Write diary. Start writing when you think you are hallucinating or having other symptoms. Keep track of what happened right before and while you had this situation. So you will evaluate how often these symptoms occur, and also provide additional data for experts when you ask them to diagnose.

3. 

   Pay attention to unusual behavior. Especially in adolescents, schizophrenia can progress slowly over a period of 6-9 months. If you find yourself behaving differently and don't understand why, talk to a psychiatrist. Do not "ignore" these behaviors as if nothing happened, especially if they are very unusual for you or are causing you stress or dysfunction. These changes are a sign that something is wrong. It may not be schizophrenic, but you need to consider it.

4. 

   Screening examination. The online test cannot tell you if you have schizophrenia. Only a clinician can make an accurate diagnosis after examining, testing and interviewing you. However, a good screening questionnaire can help you figure out what symptoms you have, and evaluate if they are signs of schizophrenia.
   • The Mental Health Documentation Library's website has a free version of the Schizophrenic Examination and the Early Stage Psychiatric Disease Assessment Index (STEPI).
   • The Psych Central website also has an online screening quiz.

5. 

   Talk to an expert. If you are concerned that you have schizophrenia talk to your doctor or therapist. Usually they don't have enough knowledge to diagnose schizophrenia, but a doctor or general therapist can help you better understand the condition and consider whether or not to see a psychiatrist.
   • Your doctor can also help you rule out other possible causes of that symptom, like an injury or another illness.
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Part 5 of 5: At Risk Identification

1. 

   People are still learning about the causes of schizophrenia. Although researchers have found a number of factors that are related to the development of the cause of schizophrenia, the exact cause is unclear.
   • Discuss family medical history with your doctor or mental health specialist.

2. 

   Consider if any relatives have ever had schizophrenia or a similar disorder. At least the disease is somewhat genetic. You have a 10% higher risk of schizophrenia if at least one “primary” family member (such as a parent or sibling) has it.
   • If you have twins or both parents have been diagnosed with schizophrenia, your risk is 40-65% higher.
   • However, about 60% of those diagnosed with schizophrenia who do not have a close family member suffer from schizophrenia.
   • If another family member or yourself has a disorder similar to schizophrenia, such as a delusional disorder, then you have a higher risk of schizophrenia.

3. 

   Determine if you were exposed to certain risks while in the womb. Infants exposed to viruses, toxins or malnutrition while still the fetus are more likely to develop schizophrenia. This is especially true if the risk occurs during the first and second trimester of pregnancy.
   • A lack of oxygen at birth also makes babies more susceptible to schizophrenia.
   • Newborns born in famine areas are twice as likely to develop this disease, perhaps because women do not get enough nutrients during pregnancy.

4. 

   Pay attention to the father's age. Several studies show a link between the father's age and the risk of developing schizophrenia. There is a study that shows that babies whose fathers are 50 years old or older at birth have a 3 times higher risk of developing this disease than babies whose fathers are 25 years or younger.
   • It is thought that this is probably because the older a man's age, the more likely his sperm to mutate.
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Advice

• Write down all of your symptoms on paper, and ask a friend or family member to observe any changes in your behavior.
• Be honest with your doctor about your symptoms. It is important that you share with them all your symptoms and experiences. Doctors and mental health professionals are not there to judge you, it's their job to help you.
• Remember that there are many social and cultural factors that contribute to the way we perceive schizophrenia. Before going to see a psychiatrist you should do more research on the diagnosis of mental illness and how to treat schizophrenia.

Warning

• Are not treat your symptoms yourself with medication, alcohol, or drugs. This aggravates the situation and has the potential to harm or kill you.
• This article is purely for medical information and is not intended to diagnose or treat any disease. You cannot diagnose schizophrenia on your own, as it is a serious medical problem that a specialist is required to diagnose and treat it.
• Like any other disease, the sooner you diagnose and seek treatment, the higher your chance of getting well.
• There is no "cure" for schizophrenia, you need to be wary of treatments or people trying to convince you that they can "cure" you, especially. if they are sure it will be easy to cure.