Signs and symptoms of paranoid schizophrenia?
Schizophrenia definition written on card
A symptom is something the patient senses and describes, while a sign is something other people, such as the doctor notice. For example, drowsiness may be a symptom while dilated pupils may be a sign.
The patient will have relatively stable, frequently paranoid delusions, which are usually accompanied by auditory hallucinations (hearing things that are not there) and perceptual disturbances.
Some schizophrenia symptoms are not prominent, such as disturbances of volition, affect, speech and catatonia.
Auditory hallucinations - hearing voices that are not there (they don't exist). Visual hallucinations are possible, but rare.
Delusions - beliefs that are not real; false personal beliefs that are not subject to reason or contradictory evidence. The patient may firmly believe something, even though there is incontrovertible evidence that it is false. En example may be a belief that a neighbor is plotting to kill or poison the patient.
Anxiety - a patient with paranoid schizophrenia will usually suffer from periods of high anxiety.
Anger - this emotional state may range from mild irritation, which most healthy individuals sometimes have, to fury and rage. Anger may raise heart rate, blood pressure and levels of adrenaline and noradrenaline.
Detachment - the patient may sometimes be physically or emotionally; reserved and remote (aloofness)
Aggression and violence - aggression may reach levels in which violent outbursts occur.
Quarrels
Condescension - sometimes the patient may seem patronizing; perhaps they may feel they know stuff other people don't and subsequently assume such a manner.
Suicidal thoughts and behavior - these may be noticeable by people around the individual, with statements such as "I wish I were dead", I am going to kill myself", or "I wish I had never been born". The patient may go further and obtain the means to kill himself/herself, such as getting a weapon or accumulating pills. Other warning signs may be:
Becoming socially withdrawn
Mood swings - however, mood disorders and problems with thinking are less common in this type of schizophrenia
Being obsessed with death, dying or violence
Feeling trapped or desperate
Increased consumption of drugs (including illegal ones) and alcohol
Changing eating or sleeping patterns
Starting to get their affairs in order and giving away belongings
Saying goodbye to people in a specific way (as if they are never going to see them again).
While some patients may have clear suicidal behaviors and thoughts (obvious to others), others may be more secretive. The warning signs might be subtle, and sometimes not noticeable at all.
Patients with paranoid schizophrenia are more likely to be affected by positive symptoms, such as delusions and auditory hallucinations, and less by problems with mood, cognition (thinking, concentration, attention), compared to other types of schizophrenia.