Early Warning Signs of Schizophrenia

To be diagnosed with schizophrenia, symptoms must last a minimum of six months. Specific symptoms such as delusions and hallucinations for one month. These warning signs can be considered normal responses to certain situations, however, the intensity of it is what distinguishes it from normal behavior to various mental illnesses. My mother knew something was wrong with me from observing my many changes, but she didn't know what. The symptoms gradually got worse as time passed. I didn't know what was wrong with me, I felt like I was losing myself, and I guess I was. The following behaviors were my early warning signs of schizophrenia, (there were much more symptoms as they got worse):

Intense Change of Mood

• Severe anxiety- could not handle being around groups of people


• Low motivation- lacked drive to go to school, whereas I was extremely involved earlier


• Suspiciousness- suspicious of close friends, family, everyone!


• Sleep disturbances- insomnia/excessive sleeping
  

Change of Behavior

• Intense preoccupation with religion- would study the Bible for hours and would not acknowledge human contact


• Decline in academic performance- would skip class, which was so unlike me


• Social isolation and inability to keep relationships- would spend more time by myself

Cognitive

• Lack short -term memory- forgetfulness


• Trouble concentrating- could not focus on homework or work assignments


• Racing thoughts- jumbled, random, extreme thoughts


• Alogia or Poverty of speech- saying very little or nothing at all

Delusions

• Thoughts that someone poisoned my food- I went to the extreme, I would not eat to the extent that I lost so much weight, I weighed under 100 pounds, and had to be hospitalized.


• Thoughts that I was being watched or followed- I attempted to change my identity by getting rid of my glasses, Bible (that I carried with me everywhere), and even attempted to cut off all my hair!


• Religious- I thought I was a prophet, or Jesus Himself

Hallucinations

• Visual- I saw people that were not there. Later I realized they were hallucinations because when I turned around they really weren't there


• Audible- male voices saying negative things

These early warning signs are also prevalent in many other illnesses, including but not limited to the following:

• Bipolar Disorder


• Major Depression


• Paranoid Personality


• Schizotypal Personality


• Brain Tumors and Temporal Lobe

If these symptoms describe you, I strongly encourage you to see a psychiatrist before self-diagnosing yourself with schizophrenia or any other mental illness. If you think something is wrong, let the doctor tell you that it is normal or abnormal.

Resources:

• http://www.schizophrenia.com/earlysigns.htm


• http://www.healthyplace.com/Communities/Thought_Disorders/schizo/nimh/defined2.asp