Early symptoms of schizophrenia can be very difficult to recognize. Sometimes they are treated as a result of the maturation process, drug use or simply laziness, arrogance and lack of upbringing. Check what are the early symptoms of schizophrenia?

Early symptoms of schizophreniaare not easy to spot. It takes some time for many patients to realize that their behavior was unusual long before their diagnosis was made: schizophrenia. At first, hardly anyone realizes that something is wrong.

If you become concerned about your behavior or that of someone in your family or friends, a list of red flags that may indicate schizophrenia may help. It should help you make the decision to ask for help.

Remember, however, that many young people in adolescence and early adulthood may experience behavioral changes very similar to those described below. Some of these changes are just related to the growing up process.

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Early warning symptoms of schizophrenia

Mood changes:

  • mood volatility
  • depressive moods
  • loss of the ability to cry or, conversely, excessive tendency to cry
  • bursting out laughing for no apparent reason or losing the ability to experience positive feelings

Sensory experience:

  • hearing voices
  • unusual sensitivity to sounds or photosensitivity

Changes in activity:

  • overactive or inactive
  • excessive sleepiness or almost complete insomnia

Changes in social relations:

  • avoiding social situations
  • resignation from active life
  • rejecting the proposal to leave the house
  • loss of desire to maintain relationships
  • inadequate or irrational statements during the conversation
  • using special words or meaningless phrases

Changes in family relationships:

  • provoking constant quarrels
  • avoiding phone calls with family
  • calling at unusual times, e.g. in the middle of the night

Changes in school or professional functioning:

  • problems with concentration
  • decline in learning achievement

Changes in behavior:

  • adopting strange body positions
  • staring for a long time
  • emergence of strange religious beliefs
  • reaching for intoxicating substances

Changes in appearance:

  • changing the way you dress
  • wearing weird costumes
  • reduction of care for hygiene

When to seek help in case of suspected schizophrenia?

Since many of the early symptoms of schizophrenia can appear in young people, it can be difficult to decide when it's time to seek professional advice. If you find anything disturbing about the behavior of a loved one (or your own), it's best if you trust your feelings.

Below we suggest how to find the best solution in a given situation:

  • if symptoms are limited to changing moods and e.g. waking up late - there is no reason to seek professional help
  • if there are, for example, problems with concentration, problems at school, strange dressing or social withdrawal - it is worth seeking help at school or contacting a support group
  • If we are dealing with a lack of care for hygiene, bizarre behavior, hearing voices, it is necessary to contact a doctor.

Who can you seek help if you suspect schizophrenia?

Schizophrenia can only be diagnosed by a psychiatrist. There are a number of other medical conditions that may resemble it. The primary care physician may decide whether his patient should see a specialist.

Read also:

  • How to recognize a mental illness?
  • Personality disorders
  • Paranoid Schizophrenia
  • Treatment of schizophrenia
  • Psychosis
  • Hallucinations

Every fourth Pole is afraid of people suffering from schizophrenia. However, patients can lead a normal and active life

Almost 1/4 of Poles are afraid of people suffering from schizophrenia, as much as 22 percent. believes that they pose a threat to the environment. Poles are also not inclined to establish close relationships with people suffering from this disease. Only 17 percent. could work with such a person, and 30 percent. - make friends with her. This is the result of the survey conducted as part of the educational campaign "Life without relapses".

Source: Lifestyle.newseria.pl

Category:

Psychiatry