The 10 Most Common Signs of Schizophrenia

Understanding the signs of schizophrenia, such as hallucinations, delusions, and disorganized thinking and behaviors, is crucial for seeking the right treatment plan.

Symptoms of schizophrenia

Early signs during the teen years may include:

• Significant drop in grades or job performance
• Trouble thinking clearly or concentrating
• Becoming suspicious of others or having paranoid thoughts
• Spending more time alone
• Having new ideas that seem strange to others
• Experiencing unusual feelings or showing no feelings at all
• Reduced interest in personal appearance
• Difficulty distinguishing reality from imagination
• Struggling to communicate clearly

Symptoms generally fall into three categories

• Positive symptoms: Distorted perception of reality, such as seeing, hearing, smelling, or tasting things others do not.
• Negative symptoms: Absence of normal behaviors or emotions, including lack of interest and motivation.
• Cognitive symptoms: Difficulty with attention, concentration, and memory.

People with schizophrenia exhibit various symptoms with differing severity. Here are the 10 most common:

1. Hallucinations

•   Schizophrenia patients may see, hear, smell, or taste things that aren’t real, which can be confusing or distressing for both them and their loved ones.
•  These hallucinations can include voices that judge, threaten, narrate, or command them, or sounds like whistles or hissing.

2. Delusions

•   Delusions involve false beliefs that seem strange or illogical to others. Even when presented with contrary facts, individuals remain convinced of their beliefs.
•   They may believe they are receiving secret messages from TV or radio, or think they are in danger or targeted by others.

3. Disorganized Thinking

•  Disorganized thinking makes it difficult for those with schizophrenia to keep their thoughts or speech orderly.
•  They may struggle with memory, finishing tasks, or maintaining coherent conversations, sometimes speaking in nonsensical "word salad" or inventing words.

4. Concentration and Memory Problems

•    Cognitive difficulties can make it hard for them to pay attention, concentrate, or remember things, impacting their ability to hold conversations or make decisions.

5. Overly Excited

•    Individuals may appear hyperactive, always moving, and excited about their surroundings, making it hard to sit still or sleep. This overexcitement is often linked to psychosis symptoms like hallucinations or delusions.

6. Grandiosity

•   Some may have an exaggerated sense of self-importance, believing they possess extraordinary abilities or status. This can lead to behavior that appears strange or dangerous.

7. Emotional Withdrawal

•    Emotional withdrawal involves losing interest in daily life and interactions, leading to complete disengagement from social activities and self-care.

8. Lack of Emotional Expressions (Blunted)

•   A lack of emotional expression is common, with reduced reactions to events, fewer facial expressions, and a "flat" voice. However, internal emotions might differ from outward expressions.

9. Difficulty with Abstract Thinking

•   Schizophrenia can impair abstract thinking, making it hard to understand metaphors, similes, or non-physical concepts, leading to literal interpretations of figurative language.

10. Extremely Disorganized or Catatonic Behavior

•     This can occur as odd behaviors, like inappropriate laughter or movements, and catatonic behavior, such as immobility or purposeless actions. They may also exhibit echolalia or echopraxia.