Content

• Steps
• Method 1 of 5: Key Symptoms
• Method 2 of 5: Living with Others
• Method 3 of 5: Other Explanations for Symptoms
• Method 4 of 5: Taking Action
• Method 5 of 5: Risk group
• Tips
• Warnings

Schizophrenia is a complex clinical diagnosis with a highly controversial history. You cannot diagnose this disease yourself. You will definitely need to contact a qualified specialist (psychiatrist or clinical psychologist). Only a properly trained mental health professional can make an accurate diagnosis. However, if you are worried that you may have schizophrenia, try to learn more about the features of the disease and whether you are at risk.

Attention:The information in this article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for consulting a doctor.

Steps

Method 1 of 5: Key Symptoms

1. 1 Know what symptoms are common in schizophrenia (criterion A). To make a diagnosis, your doctor will test you for the presence of five categories of symptoms: delusions, hallucinations, speech and thought disorders, movement disorders (including catatonia), and negative symptoms (symptoms that reflect deficiencies in certain properties).
   • You must have at least 2 (or more) of these symptoms. Each should show up for a significant amount of time during the month (and less if you received treatment). Delusional ideas, hallucinations, or speech disorders should be at least one of the two mandatory symptoms.
2. 2 Think if you have crazy ideas.Delusional ideas are considered irrational beliefs that arise as a reaction to a threat that is largely or completely not perceived as a threat by others. Delusional ideas do not pass, despite the fact that they do not correspond to reality.
   • There is a difference between delusion and suspicion. Many people have suspicions from time to time (for example, that a colleague wants to substitute or that a black streak has come in life). The difference is whether these suspicions cause you a lot of stress and whether they interfere with your normal life.
   • For example, if you are convinced that the government is spying on you and refuse to go to work or school because of this, this is a sign that your beliefs are interfering with your normal life.
   • Delusional ideas can take many forms. For example, a person may consider himself an animal or a supernatural creature. If you are convinced of something that goes beyond the traditional framework of reality, it is may be a sign of schizophrenia (however, the reasons may be different).
3. 3 Consider if you have hallucinations.Hallucinations - these are sensations that seem real, but in fact exist only in the imagination of a person. Hallucinations can be auditory (what you hear), visual (what you see), olfactory (smells), tactile (sensations on the skin - for example, a person may think that insects are crawling on him). A person may experience any of these hallucinations.
   • Consider if you get the feeling that insects are crawling over you, and if so, how often. Do you hear voices when no one is around? Do you see what is not, or what others do not see?
4. 4 Think about your religious beliefs and cultural norms. If you believe in something that others find strange, that doesn't mean you have crazy ideas. And even if you see things that others do not see, these visions may not be dangerous hallucinations. Beliefs are considered delusional or dangerous only within the framework of certain cultural and religious norms. Beliefs and visions are usually recognized as signs of psychosis or schizophrenia if they create unwanted or harmful obstacles in daily life.
   • For example, the belief that bad deeds will pay off is considered delusional in some cultures and completely normal in others.
   • Hallucinations are also associated with cultural norms. For example, in many cultures, children may experience auditory or visual hallucinations (for example, hearing the voice of a deceased relative), but this is not considered an abnormality, and these children do not develop other signs of psychosis in adulthood.
   • Very religious people are more likely to hear or see certain things (for example, hearing the voice of their deity or seeing angels). In many belief systems, these hallucinations are considered real and useful, even desirable. If only these hallucinations do not frighten the person and do not expose him and other people to danger, they do not cause fear.
5. 5 Consider if you have developed speech and thought problems.Violations of speech and thought process expressed in the fact that a person has difficulty with a complete or satisfactory answer to questions. Answers may not be related to the question, may be fragmentary and incomplete.In many cases, speech impairments are combined with an inability or unwillingness to maintain eye contact and use gestures and other forms of body language. You may need the help of others to assess your speech behavior.
   • In the most severe cases, speech can be similar to a "verbal vinaigrette": a person utters a set of words or phrases that are not related to each other and cannot be understood by the listener.
   • As with other symptoms in this group, speech and thought disorders must be viewed in an individual's social and cultural context. For example, in some religious systems, people are ordered to speak with the ministers of a religious cult in a strange and incomprehensible language. In addition, statements are constructed differently in different cultures, so the stories told by people within the same culture may seem strange and incoherent to an outside observer who is not familiar with these cultural norms and traditions.
   • Your speech can be perceived as impaired only if people who are familiar with your religious or cultural norms cannot understand or interpret what you are saying (or if this occurs in situations where your speech needs to be understood by others).
6. 6 Know how behavioral disturbances and catatonia manifest.Behavioral disorders and catatonia can manifest themselves in different ways. It can be difficulty concentrating, making it difficult for a person to complete even simple tasks like washing their hands. The person may freak out, feel stupid, or act enthusiastic for unpredictable reasons. Inappropriate, undirected, excessive, or aimless movements are considered movement disorders. For example, a person may wobble their arms randomly or assume strange postures.
   • Catatonia is another form of motor behavior disorders. In severe cases of schizophrenia, the person may not move or make sounds for many days. In such situations, people do not respond to external stimuli (conversations) and even to physical stimuli (touch).
7. 7 Consider if you have lost the ability to lead a normal life.Negative symptoms are symptoms that show deterioration in normal behavior or decreased functionality. For example, a reduction in the range of emotions or expressions would be considered a negative symptom. Negative symptoms also include a loss of interest in the things you enjoy and a lack of motivation to do something.
   • Negative symptoms can also be cognitive, such as problems with concentration. Negative cognitive symptoms tend to be more damaging and more noticeable to others than the inattention or concentration problems that are common in people with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.
   • Unlike attention deficit disorder (ADD), or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), cognitive impairment occurs in almost all situations a person encounters and causes significant problems in many areas of life.

Method 2 of 5: Living with Others

1. 1 Consider if your social and work life can be considered normal (criterion B). The second criterion for the diagnosis of schizophrenia is dysfunction in social and work life. This dysfunction should persist long after the onset of symptoms. Many illnesses can cause disruptions in work and social life, and even if you have problems in one or more areas, this may not mean that you have schizophrenia. To make a diagnosis, there must be a serious abnormality in one or more of the following areas:
   • work / study;
   • interpersonal relationships;
   • personal care.
2. 2 Think about how you handle the job. One of the criteria for dysfunction is the inability to perform the tasks required by the job. If you are a student, your ability to cope with the curriculum should be considered. Consider the following:
   • Do you feel like you are psychologically ready to leave home and go to work or school?
   • Is it difficult for you to arrive on time?
   • Are there responsibilities in your job that you are now afraid to do?
   • If you are studying, has your academic performance deteriorated?
3. 3 Think about relationships with other people. In this case, it is important to consider what you consider normal for yourself. If you've always been a low-key person, a lack of interest in communication doesn't necessarily indicate dysfunction. But if you notice that your aspirations and behavior have changed and become not the same as they always were, this may be a reason to contact a psychotherapist or psychiatrist.
   • Do you enjoy those connections that have always brought you pleasure?
   • Do you enjoy interacting with people the way you used to?
   • Do you feel that you have begun to talk to others significantly less than before?
   • Are you afraid of interactions with others and are you worried about these interactions?
   • Do you feel like others are stalking you or that the people around you have ulterior motives about you?
4. 4 Think about whether your personal care habits have changed. Personal care includes hygiene and health care. You should also evaluate this factor on the basis of what you consider normal for yourself. For example, if you usually exercise 2-3 times a week, but have not done so in 3 months, this could be a sign that something is wrong. The following actions are signs of decreased interest in personal care:
   • you started taking stimulants (alcohol, drugs) or started to do it more often;
   • you don't sleep well and your sleep is irregular (for example, 2 pm today, 2 pm tomorrow);
   • you don't feel anything or feel emotional emptiness;
   • you stopped paying attention to hygiene;
   • you have ceased to maintain order at home.

Method 3 of 5: Other Explanations for Symptoms

1. 1 Consider how long you have had symptoms (criterion C). To diagnose schizophrenia, a psychiatrist or psychotherapist will ask you how long you have been experiencing symptoms and disorders. For the diagnosis of schizophrenia, it is necessary that the abnormalities have been observed for at least 6 months.
   • This period should include at least 1 month of active symptoms described in the first part of this article (criterion A), although this period may be shorter if you have received symptomatic treatment.
   • The six-month period can also include periods of prodromal or residual symptoms. During these periods, symptoms may not be as pronounced (that is, they may subside), or you may only have negative symptoms (for example, a decrease in the amount of emotion or an unwillingness to do something).
2. 2 Exclude other possible causes of symptoms (criterion D). Schizoaffective disorder, depressive disorder, or bipolar disorder with psychotic traits can cause symptoms similar to schizophrenia. Other illnesses and physical disorders (heart attack, tumors) can trigger psychotic symptoms. therefore extremely important seek help from a qualified technician. You cannot tell one disease from another yourself.
   • Your doctor will ask you if you have had significant depressive or manic episodes at the same time as active symptoms.
   • A significant depressive episode is considered to be at least one of the following conditions for at least two weeks: depression or loss of interest in activities you enjoy, or lack of enjoyment from them.A depressive episode also includes other regular or almost constant symptoms that appear at the same time: significant changes in weight, sleep disturbances, increased fatigue, anxiety or depression, feelings of guilt and worthlessness, problems concentrating and thinking, persistent thoughts about death. A trained professional can help you determine if you have had a significant depressive episode.
   • The manic episode must last for at least 1 week. At this time, a person experiences an unusual elation, irritation or incontinence. The person should also have at least three other symptoms: a decreased need for sleep, an inflated self-concept, superficial or disordered thoughts, a tendency to be distracted, an increased interest in tasks related to achieving goals, or an increased interest in activities that bring pleasure, especially risky and to those where the risk of negative consequences is high. The healthcare professional will be able to tell if you were experiencing a manic episode.
   • The doctor will also ask you how long you have had this episode while you are experiencing active symptoms. If manic episodes with periods of active and residual symptoms lasted for a relatively short time, all this may be a sign of schizophrenia.
3. 3 Exclude the effects of stimulant exposure (criterion E). The use of stimulants, including drugs and alcohol, can cause symptoms similar to those of schizophrenia. To make a diagnosis, your doctor will need to make sure that the disorders and symptoms you have are not caused by a direct physiological effect of the substance (narcotic or drug).
   • Even legal drugs prescribed by a doctor can cause hallucinations as a side effect. It is important that the diagnosis is made by a specialist, since he will be able to distinguish the side effects from the intake of various substances from the symptoms of the disease.
   • Substance use disorder (commonly referred to as substance abuse) is common among people with schizophrenia. Many people with schizophrenia try to treat their symptoms with medications, alcohol and drugs. Your doctor will be able to determine if you have a substance use disorder.
4. 4 Consider whether the symptoms might be related to general developmental delay or autism spectrum disorder. The doctor will need to rule out these disorders. Symptoms similar to those of schizophrenia are often present in general developmental delays and in autism spectrum disorders.
   • If a person has an autism spectrum disorder and other communication disorders that began to manifest themselves in childhood in a person's medical history, the diagnosis of schizophrenia can only be made if pronounced delusional ideas and hallucinations.
5. 5 Be aware that even if your condition meets the criteria described above, it does not necessarily mean that you have schizophrenia. The criteria for the diagnosis of schizophrenia and other psychiatric disorders are considered political... This means that all the symptoms of these diseases can be interpreted in different ways, as well as the fact that symptoms can occur in various combinations and manifestations. It can be difficult even for an experienced doctor to correctly diagnose schizophrenia.
   • It is also possible, as stated above, that the symptoms are the result of trauma, other disease, or disorder. It is important to seek professional help to make a correct diagnosis.
   • Cultural norms, as well as geographic and personal ways of thinking and speaking, can affect how normal your behavior appears to others.

Method 4 of 5: Taking Action

1. 1 Ask friends and family for help. It may be difficult for you to identify certain things on your own (for example, delusional ideas). Ask friends and family to help you figure out if you have symptoms.
2. 2 Keep a diary. Write down your hallucinations and other symptoms. Record in the diary the events that preceded them and the events that occurred simultaneously with the episodes of hallucinations and symptoms. This will help you understand how often you have symptoms. This information will be extremely helpful to your doctor.
3. 3 Pay attention to unusual behavior. Schizophrenia, especially in adolescents, can develop imperceptibly in 6-9 months. If you notice that you are not behaving as usual, and do not know why this is happening, see a psychiatrist or psychotherapist. Do not dismiss strange tendencies, especially if they are not typical for you or cause you stress or interfere with your normal life. These changes could be a sign that something is wrong. This may not be schizophrenia, but it needs to be addressed anyway.
4. 4 Take the online test. This test will not allow a diagnosis to be made, since only a qualified psychiatrist can make a diagnosis after a series of examinations, examinations and conversations with the patient. However, a reliable online test can help you understand what symptoms you have and whether they might indicate schizophrenia.
   • Try to take the test on the Testometrika website.
   • Look for any other tests on the internet.
5. 5 Talk to a specialist. If you are worried that you might have schizophrenia, talk to a therapist or psychotherapist. While a therapist or psychotherapist may not have the skills and knowledge to diagnose the condition, these professionals can explain to you what schizophrenia is and help you decide if you need to see a psychiatrist.
   • The therapist will also be able to rule out other causes of symptoms, including injury and illness.

Method 5 of 5: Risk group

1. 1 Be aware that the causes of schizophrenia have not been established. Although there is a definite relationship between a number of factors and the development or intensification of the manifestations of schizophrenia, the exact cause of this disease is still not known.
   • Tell the doctor about your family's medical conditions and your medical history.
2. 2 Consider if you have a family member with schizophrenia or similar medical conditions. Schizophrenia is due in part to genetic causes. The risk of developing schizophrenia will be about 10% higher if you have at least one immediate family member (parent, brother, or sister) with the disease.
   • If you have an identical twin with schizophrenia, or if both of your parents have the disorder, you are 40 to 65% more likely to develop schizophrenia.
   • However, about 60% of people diagnosed with schizophrenia do not have close relatives with the disease.
   • If a family member or you have another disorder similar to schizophrenia (such as delusional disorder), your risk of developing schizophrenia is higher.
3. 3 Find out if you have been exposed to certain factors in the womb. Babies who have been exposed to viruses, toxic substances, or not getting enough nutrition can develop schizophrenia. This is especially true if the impact of negative factors occurred in the first and second trimester of pregnancy.
   • Babies who experience oxygen deprivation during labor are also prone to developing schizophrenia.
   • Children born during hunger are twice as likely to develop schizophrenia. The reason for this is that mothers cannot get the nutrients they need during pregnancy.
4. 4 Consider your father's age. Some studies have found a link between the age of the father and the risk of developing schizophrenia. One study suggests that if the father of a newborn baby is 50 or older, the infant is 3 times more likely to develop schizophrenia than children of fathers 25 or younger.
   • The reason for this may be that genetic mutations can occur in semen with age.

Tips

• List all the symptoms. Ask friends and family if they have noticed any changes in your behavior.
• Be honest with your doctor about your symptoms. It is important that the doctor is aware of all symptoms and behaviors. The psychiatrist or psychotherapist will not judge you - his job is to help you.
• Remember that many social and cultural factors influence how people perceive and define schizophrenia. Before going to see a psychiatrist, study the history of psychiatric diagnoses and treatment of schizophrenia.
• If you think you are more powerful than others, it could also be a sign of schizophrenia.

Warnings

• The information provided in this article is medical data and should not be used for diagnosis or treatment. You cannot diagnose yourself on your own. Schizophrenia is a serious mental illness that must be diagnosed and treated by a specialist.
• Do not shoot symptoms of medications, alcohol or drugs. These substances will only aggravate your symptoms, which can cause significant harm or even death.
• As with any disease, the sooner you get a diagnosis and seek treatment, the more likely you are to manage your symptoms and be able to live a normal life.
• There is no single treatment for schizophrenia that works for everyone. Be wary of treatments or people who promise to heal you, especially if you are guaranteed quick results with a minimum of effort.