Undifferentiated schizophrenia is characterized by general symptoms of schizophrenia that do not fit a specific classification or diagnosis of another subtype. People may exhibit the traditional “positive” and “negative” symptoms, but they may fluctuate over a period of time. This type of schizophrenia can be particularly challenging to diagnose with confidence because someone needs to …
Residual schizophrenia is one of the 5 types of schizophrenia that is characterized by a long-term history of negative symptoms (i.e. psychomotor slowing), with very infrequent or rare occurrences of positive symptoms. To meet the criteria for diagnosis, the person must have experienced positive symptoms (e.g. hallucinations/delusions/etc.) at some point. With that said, the person …
Disorganized schizophrenia (also called “hebephrenia”) is one of the 5 main types of schizophrenia. It is characterized by symptoms of extreme disorganization and typically develops between 15 and 25 years of age. The term “hebephrenia” is Greek for “adolescence” and refers to the fact that this subtype of schizophrenia typically has an adolescent onset. Primary …
Paranoid schizophrenia is one of the 5 main subtypes of schizophrenia characterized by an intense paranoia which is often accompanied by delusions and hallucinations. Most people with paranoid schizophrenia have auditory hallucinations (i.e. they hear voices) and may experience delusions that people are “plotting” against them. For example, someone with this illness may believe that …
Catatonic schizophrenia is one of 5 main subtypes of schizophrenia that is characterized by behavior at extreme opposite ends of the spectrum. At one end of the spectrum, the person may be unable to speak, move, or respond – they are stuck in a “catatonic stupor.” On the other end of the spectrum, the person …
What is schizoid personality disorder? A lot of the psychologically clueless and/or uninformed think it’s the same as schizophrenia and get it mixed up with schizotypal personality disorder – these are totally different diagnoses. Schizoid personality disorder is a diagnosis given to an individual that fits a certain set of characteristics as stated by the …
Schizophrenia in children, also commonly referred to as “pediatric schizophrenia” or “childhood schizophrenia” is a mental illness that affects individuals under the age of 18. They may display the same classic symptoms of schizophrenia, but the symptoms appear at a much younger age than is typical. Most people that are diagnosed with schizophrenia tend to …