i am wonder what if anything might be early signs of schizophrenia, besides hallucinations.?
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Symptoms of Schizophrenia
Schizophrenia is characterized by profound disruption in cognition and emotion, affecting the most fundamental human attributes: language, thought, perception, affect, and sense of self. The array of symptoms, while wide ranging, frequently includes psychotic manifestations, such as hearing internal voices or experiencing other sensations not connected to an obvious source (hallucinations) and assigning unusual significance or meaning to normal events or holding fixed false personal beliefs (delusions). No single symptom is definitive for diagnosis; rather, the diagnosis encompasses a pattern of signs and symptoms, in conjunction with impaired occupational or social functioning (Source: DSM-IV -available for purchase on Amazon.com Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders DSM-IV-TR).
Symptoms are typically divided into positive and negative symptoms because of their impact on diagnosis and treatment. Positive symptoms are those that appear to reflect an excess or distortion of normal functions. The diagnosis of schizophrenia, according to DSM-IV, requires at least 1-month duration of two or more positive symptoms, unless hallucinations or delusions are especially bizarre, in which case one alone suffices for diagnosis. Negative symptoms are those that appear to reflect a diminution or loss of normal functions. These often persist in the lives of people with schizophrenia during periods of low (or absent) positive symptoms. Negative symptoms are difficult to evaluate because they are not as grossly abnormal as positives ones and may be caused by a variety of other factors as well (e.g., as an adaptation to a persecutory delusion). However, advancements in diagnostic assessment tools are being made.
Diagnosis is complicated by early treatment of schizophrenia’s positive symptoms. Antipsychotic medications, particularly the traditional ones, often produce side effects that closely resemble the negative symptoms of affective flattening and avolition. In addition, other negative symptoms are sometimes present in schizophrenia but not often enough to satisfy diagnostic criteria (DSM-IV): loss of usual interests or pleasures (anhedonia); disturbances of sleep and eating; dysphoric mood (depressed, anxious, irritable, or angry mood); and difficulty concentrating or focusing attention.
Currently, discussion is ongoing within the field regarding the need for a third category of symptoms for diagnosis: disorganized symptoms. Disorganized symptoms include thought disorder, confusion, disorientation, and memory problems. While they are listed by DSM-IV as common in schizophrenia—especially during exacerbations of positive or negative symptoms (DSM-IV)—they do not yet constitute a formal new category of symptoms. Some researchers think that a new category is not warranted because disorganized symptoms may instead reflect an underlying dysfunction common to several psychotic disorders, rather than being unique to schizophrenia.
Schizophrenia is a chronic psychic illness and some brain damage in childhood or epilepsy and chorea may associate it,when it is called symptomatic schizophrenia. Otherwise three groups of symptoms characterize it, although some features are considered indifferent at places .
1.First rank positive symptoms--Thought insertion,thought broadcasting, passive feelings and hallucinations and delusions.
2. second line positive symptoms-- catatonia, thought disorder, neologism and affective changes.
3. negative symptoms-- social withdrawal. poverty of speech and flatness of affect.
So, it is actually very difficult to presume it, but one thing is very interesting that EMOTIONAL OVER INVOLVEMENT, along with PSYCHOLOGICAL STRESS is equally important in prevention, cure and rehabilitation of the schizophrenics !!
If they appear depressed and withdrawn holding a stuffed animal as if it was protecting them. I would say depression and erratic behavior and mood swings. Some might believe that their children are possessed or haunted by a spirit or demon. Mine used to bring me things such as gifts but my father would usually take them away and possibly sell them. One of the first times the one voice told me to make a phone call for him. It was out of state and long distance. The phone bill was around $13.00 and back then it was a lot of money. He eventually gave me the phone bill when I was married but I hadn't remembered it for many years. I had lost it a few years ago when I moved and many things were thrown away by one of the movers. You might notice what some say is cryptic thinking also.
http://www.crypticthinking.com/
Look for what appears to be self mutilation and scoop marks. This can be a sign of an abduction and frequent visitations by unknowns. Certain people might refer to this as grooming. The truth is out there and down here. Just because it appears that they are mentally ill doesn't mean they aren't being manipulated by someone. This can traumatize them and disguise itself as mental illness also. They might say things that are extraordinary for a child or ask related questions you wouldn't think of them to ask either. Just a thought to keep in mind. Don't freak out about it because this won't help them either.
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