Signs & Symptoms
This common symptom involves hearing or seeing things that others don't experience.
What are hallucinations?
Insight: Hallucinations can affect any of the senses, but auditory hallucinations (like hearing voices) are most common in schizophrenia.
Many believe that people with schizophrenia have multiple personalities.
What is a myth?
This misconception often conflates schizophrenia with dissociative identity disorder (previously known as multiple personality disorder), which is a separate condition. Schizophrenia primarily involves disruptions in thought processes, perceptions, and emotions.
When communicating with someone experiencing delusions, this approach is better than arguing or disagreeing.
What is listening without judgment?
While you don't need to agree with the delusion, acknowledging the person's feelings and fear is crucial for maintaining trust and open communication.
This term refers to symptoms that add something to a person's experience, like hallucinations or delusions.
What are positive symptoms?
Positive symptoms represent an excess of functioning, showing what is added to a person's mental state that isn't typically present in others.
This young YouTuber shares her experiences living with schizophrenia, reaching millions with her channel "Living Well with Schizophrenia."
Who is Lauren Kennedy?
Lauren's authentic videos help destigmatize schizophrenia while providing practical insights about daily life with the condition, reaching younger audiences through social media.
When someone believes things that aren't true, even when shown evidence to the contrary, it's called this.
What are delusions?
Delusions can be paranoid (believing one is being targeted) or grandiose (believing one has extraordinary abilities or fame).
Individuals with schizophrenia are violent and dangerous.
Most individuals with schizophrenia are not violent; in fact, they are more likely to be victims of ignorant violence than perpetrators.
This simple communication technique involves using short, clear sentences and avoiding abstract concepts.
What is keeping it simple?
When someone is experiencing symptoms, they may have difficulty processing complex information. Clear, concrete communication reduces confusion and frustration for both parties.
These symptoms reduce the emotional range and expression, affecting how one interacts with others.
What are negative symptoms?
Negative symptoms can lead to social withdrawal and difficulty forming relationships, making understanding and support vital from family and friends.
This psychologist and mental health advocate developed the concept of "recovery" in mental health after her own diagnosis of schizophrenia as a teenager.
Who is Pat Deegan?
Dr. Deegan's work revolutionized how we think about recovery, showing that people with mental illness can lead fulfilling lives and even become mental health professionals themselves.
This type of thinking involves making unusual connections between unrelated things, like believing news headlines contain personal messages.
What is paranoid or referential thinking?
This thinking style is often distressing for the individual and can lead to increased isolation, as they may feel misunderstood by others.
It’s commonly thought that schizophrenia is always hereditary and guaranteed to be passed down.
What is a myth?
While genetics can increase vulnerability, schizophrenia is influenced by various factors including environment, life experiences, and neurochemistry, meaning not everyone with a family history will develop it.
During a conversation, doing this can help reduce overwhelming feelings for someone experiencing symptoms.
What is taking breaks or giving space?
Processing conversations can be mentally exhausting for someone experiencing symptoms. Regular breaks help maintain focus and reduce stress.
This positive symptom involves believing that thoughts are being broadcast or stolen from one's mind.
What is thought broadcasting or thought withdrawal?
Experiences like these can heighten anxiety and lead to a person feeling scrutinized or attacked, which can worsen their overall mental state.
This Nobel Prize-winning mathematician's journey with schizophrenia was portrayed in "A Beautiful Mind."
Who is John Nash?
Nash's story demonstrates how individuals can manage their symptoms while making significant contributions to their field, showing that diagnosis doesn't determine destiny.
This symptom involves speaking in ways that others find hard to follow, including making up words or jumping between unrelated topics.
What is disorganized speech/thought disorder?
Disorganized speech can make it challenging for friends and family to engage in meaningful conversations, making it crucial for loved ones to be patient and supportive.
Some people believe that individuals with schizophrenia cannot live independently.
What is a myth?
Many people with schizophrenia can and do lead fulfilling, independent lives with appropriate treatment and support. Recovery is highly individualized and achievable.
When discussing treatment options, this communication approach increases the likelihood of cooperation.
What is collaborative discussion/shared decision-making?
People are more likely to engage in treatment when they feel their voice is heard and they're treated as active participants rather than passive recipients.
A lack of motivation to engage in everyday activities is an example of this type of symptom.
What are negative symptoms?
Symptoms like avolition can make it difficult for individuals to complete daily tasks or maintain employment, leading to feelings of frustration or shame.
This mental health advocate and researcher focuses on recovery-oriented practices and wellness for individuals with psychiatric diagnoses.
Who is Dr. Peggy Swarbrick?
Dr. Swarbrick promotes understanding of wellness and recovery initiatives that empower individuals with mental health conditions to lead fulfilling lives through holistic approaches.
This term describes when someone appears emotionally distant and has reduced facial expressions or voice tone.
What is flat affect?
Flat affect does not mean the person lacks feelings; they may still experience emotions internally but struggle to express them outwardly.
There’s a belief that medication is the only treatment needed for schizophrenia.
What is a myth?
While medication is essential for many individuals, a comprehensive treatment plan usually includes therapy, social support, and lifestyle changes, emphasizing a holistic approach to recovery.
This communication strategy involves acknowledging the reality of the person's experience while offering alternative perspectives.
What is validation with gentle reality testing?
Saying something like "I understand this feels very real to you, and I can see why it's distressing. How about we explore this together?" maintains trust while opening doors to different viewpoints.
This positive symptom may include seeing or hearing things that do not exist, often causing distress.
What are hallucinations?
Hallucinations can vary widely; some may experience comforting or benign hallucinations, while others may encounter frightening ones, affecting daily functioning and overall quality of life.
This African American psychiatrist became one of the first to study how schizophrenia presents differently across cultures and races.
Who is Dr. Chester Pierce?
His work highlighted the importance of considering cultural context in mental health treatment and diagnosis, leading to more inclusive care approaches.