Schizophrenia Types: You Might Not Know About

Schizophrenia types:  You Might Not Know About

• The term schizophrenia can be used to describe many different symptoms, but it often includes hearing voices and/or seeing things that are not there.
• In other words like someone taking over your mind or sending you messages.
• But schizophrenia is not just that, there are five main schizophrenia types, each of which has different symptoms and requires different treatment approaches.
• Here are the five main schizophrenia types: paranoid, catatonic, disorganized, residual and undifferentiated.

Paranoid schizophrenia

• In schizophrenia types, the first major schizophrenia type is called paranoid schizophrenia.
• The name comes from long-term paranoia and persecutory delusions (persistent firm belief despite being contradicted by realty) associated with a person’s experience of being persecuted by others.
• Symptoms of paranoia should be present for at least one month for making diagnosis.
• When diagnosing, psychiatrists will note these symptoms (and their intensity) as well as look for further signs that confirm their diagnosis.
• Examples include difficulty in concentrating, difficulty in focusing on social interactions, lack of interest in work, school or hobbies.
• It also includes lack of motivation, feelings of guilt and/or worthlessness, feelings of helplessness and hopelessness, inability to start or follow through with activities. This type accounts for about 10%–15% of all cases.
• Medications used to treat early-onset paranoid schizophrenia are often effective at treating paranoid schizophrenia as well.
• It is important to talk with your doctor about all possible treatment options so you can decide which approach will work best for you.

Catatonic Schizophrenia          

• The signs and symptoms for catatonic schizophrenia are similar to other schizophrenia types, with a few notable differences.
• In particular, people suffering from catatonic schizophrenia tend to have very little response to their environment and have a vacant stare.
• They may be completely immobile or be engaged in repetitive motions such as rocking or head banging.
• Catatonic symptoms can cause patients to essentially freeze in place until environmental stimuli force them into action.
• They may also exhibit a degree of resistance when responding to commands, requests or advice (including medical treatment).
• If you notice any of these symptoms in someone you know, it is important to seek immediate help.

Disorganized Schizophrenia

• In schizophrenia types, one type is called disorganized schizophrenia.
• It involves a lack of coherence in speech and behavior.
• People with disorganized schizophrenia may talk very fast and change topics frequently. They also may have inappropriate emotional responses or make odd facial expressions.
• Sometimes people with disorganized schizophrenia fail to care for themselves, choose inappropriate clothing or have hygiene problems.
• They might walk in circles, repeatedly touch something or perform other repetitive behaviors.
• Disorganized schizophrenia is sometimes called hebephrenic schizophrenia.
• It is uncommon, occurring in about one-third of people with schizophrenia at some point during their illness
• Although it is often a short-term phase prior to an improvement in symptoms (e.g., catatonic schizophrenia). It is more common in males than females.

Residual schizophrenia

• This entity also comes under schizophrenia types. It is also sometimes called late-onset schizophrenia.
• It is characterized by later onset and fewer positive symptoms.
• People with residual type schizophrenia may also experience some cognitive impairment in addition to negative symptoms.
• This form usually occurs in older adults after a stroke or a head injury.
• Other risk factors include alcohol abuse and medications that can cause psychotic effects such as stimulants, tricyclic antidepressants, anticholinergic drugs, atypical antipsychotics and anti emetics.
• In many cases, people can be treated with antipsychotic medications, however, they may require care in an assisted living facility because they might not be able to take care of themselves independently.
• Some types of treatment for residual schizophrenia include rehabilitation, vocational training and day programs for socialization.

Undifferentiated Type

• This is an interesting type of schizophrenia types. This category is reserved for those person, who have just been diagnosed with schizophrenia and some symptoms also present pointing towards other illness.
• The undifferentiated type simply means that, it is little difficult to distinguish as symptoms associated with more than one  psychotic disorders.
• For example, you might be experiencing hallucinations and delusions, but they could be coming from bipolar disorder as well as schizophrenia types.
• This classification is reserved for newly diagnosed patients until it is determined which disorder they are suffering from.
• Because there are so many different schizophrenia types and disorders that fall under schizophrenia spectrum
• However, people may suffer from undifferentiated symptoms for a long time before receiving a specific diagnosis.
• Also, it may take some time to adjust to treatment before it becomes apparent which disorder you have been suffering from all along.

Conclusion

• If you are a mental health professional, you should always be on guard for signs that one of your patients may have schizophrenia.
• If you are lucky, you will only encounter what we might call schizoaffective disorder, which is characterized by depressive or manic episodes coupled with delusions and hallucinations. Unfortunately, though, many persons with different schizophrenia types never receive treatment for their condition.
• Main reason behind it is their poor compliance. They can hide it from their families or friends (as some schizophrenics are very good at doing).
• It simply never comes up in conversation with a therapist. Even doctors face some problems in picking up clues pointing to schizophrenia.
• But if you as person do happen to come across someone who exhibits symptoms of schizophrenia types, remember that it is nothing to be ashamed about.
• It is a disease not something anyone would choose and there are effective treatments available.
• In fact, people diagnosed with schizophrenia types live longer than those without the disease.
•  So next time you see someone exhibiting strange behavior, try not to judge them too harshly, instead, take note and encourage them to get help as soon as possible.

Why schizophrenic person think that, they are right and others are wrong?

In schizophrenia, person are usually not aware about themselves. They live in their own world. They would even not realize that something is seriously wrong with them.  Schizophrenia is actually a type of psychotic illness  in which patient lose touch with realty.
They sometimes hear the voices, when no one is around them. It is called hallucination in mental health. They tell, some one is going to harm them, despite no such incidence actually happened.
They have firm belief on their thinking. Very difficult to  shackle their belief. If any one try to convince them, they become violent at times and becomes irritable.

If medicine suits to the schizophrenic patient, is it necessary to go to doctor ?

Medicines are the main component in the treatment of schizophrenia. Some medicines response immediately. Some medicines take some time. Some medicines not respond at all.
Response of medicines depends upon various factors. This is usually best decided by concerning doctor (Psychiatrist). Even though, if any particular medicine responds well to patient, it is very important to go regularly for follow up.
Side effects of the medicines if any , manage by doctors. Increase or decrease the medicine doses decided by the doctors.
The most important question asked by the patients is “when to stop the medicines”, it is also decided by doctors. Therefore it is very important to see  the doctors regularly.

Can we cure schizophrenia by good environment and good behavior?

Good environment plays an important role in the treatment of schizophrenia. Family support is one of them.
Members in family understand the symptoms of schizophrenia, available treatment options and also the course of recovery. It  helps in decreasing their distress, give confidence and encourage coping.
Good behaviour of family members and society towards patients help in  their capacity for fighting against schizophrenia. 

How a doctor ascertain that his patient has fully recovered from schizophrenia?

Full recovery in schizophrenic patients depend upon various factors. Full recovery includes symptoms free period. Not only this, patients  also should involve in social functions and gatherings. They should do some work for their earnings.   
  
Chances of frequent relapses  (again being affected with illness) are very common in this psychiatric illness. Therefore before, declaring full recovered and fit, doctors usually assess all these parameters in schizophrenic patients.

If schizophrenic patients not taking drugs, what I do tell in good way ?

Not all, but some patients of schizophrenia have very poor insight about their illness. They behave like, as they have no problems and doctor give medicines without any reason.
It is because they have lost the realty with surroundings.
Most important way to treat such patients is to give medicines immediately. If patient not taking medicines  by mouth, then they should be given medicines by injections.
After stabilization of the patient, they  used to start showing improvement. Now it is the right  time to start  psychological intervention.

Can a person with schizophrenia work in night shifts?

Definetly yes. But it is also determined by various other factors like types of schizophrenia, presence of negative symptoms, family income etc.
 
Rate of unemployement in patients with schizophrenia are as high as 70 percent.
If patient work in night shifts, it is very important to take a proper sound sleep of nearly 6-7 hours daily in day time.

They should also take the medicine at proper time. Strong work load should be avoided as  as possible  during night shift. Alcohol or other addictions should be avoided at any cost. 

For schizophrenia patients other than taking injections, is it necessary to take daily tablets ?

Yes, It is very important to take tablets daily for schizophrenic patients. There are two types of patients, first are those who willingly take the prescribed medicine. Second are those who do not  want to take the medicine.

For this second group we require injections.  Taking medicines regularly help in decrease of symptoms. It leads to increase personal care and enhance social skill.

Why is weight gaining associated with the schizophrenia?

The reason for weight gain in schizophrenia is indirectly different.  They are taking antipsychotic medicines for their illness. Most of these  medicines have the side effects in the form of weight gain and increase appetite.

Is Invega sustenna useful to negative symptoms of schizophrenia?

Invega sustenna is a brand name of paliperidone palmitate. It is antipsychotic medicine used in the treatment of schizophrenia. Particularly Invega sustenna is an injection used once in month.
Those patients, who do not want to take medicine regularly, prefer this. Also good for those patients who have negative symptoms of schizophrenia. Negative symptoms of schizophrenia includes remaining aloof, confined to themselves, poor social interaction, not expressing themselves.  

Quetiapine or olanzapine efficacy wise which one is superior in schizophrenia

There are several researches and guidelines which have compared the effectiveness of antipsychotic medicines. Overall results suggest clozapine and aripiprazole are most efficacious medicines. Olanzapine seems to more efficacious than quetiapine, though much not different.