Learning About Schizophrenia, Part I: Symptoms

Delving into schizophrenia research uncovers more questions than answers. Here's some of what we've learned about the nature of schizophrenia's symptoms.

Schizophrenia is sometimes misconceived as a personality disorder, such as Multiple Personality Disorder, but it's actually a chronic brain disorder (Psychiatry.org, Johns Hopkins Medicine). Although the typical onset of schizophrenia happens after adolescence, often in a person's early 20s, it can occur at any age (NAMI). During the"prodromal" period of those afflicted by schizophrenia, early indicators and/or first signs of the illness include isolating and withdrawing behavior and an increase in unusual thoughts and suspicions.

The symptoms that most often characterize schizophrenia are the presence of hallucinations (hearing, seeing, smelling things that aren't there) and delusions ("False beliefs that don't change" even when the person is presented with new ideas and facts (NAMI)). However there are additional, negative symptoms ("ones that diminish a person's abilities" (NAMI)) that a person with schizophrenia may experience, such as: Flat/disconnected emotional affect, showing little interest in life or sustaining relationships, and being "unable to start or follow through with activities" (NAMI). According to the National Alliance of Mental Illness' website, the aforementioned negative symptoms are sometimes confused with clinical depression. Cognitive executive dysfunction may accompany the onset of schizophrenia as well, and can manifest in a person having difficulty remembering things, organizing their thoughts, or completing tasks.

Anosognosia, a neurological condition in which the patient is "unaware" of their mental illness or "neurological deficit," further complicates the diagnosis and treatment of schizophrenic individuals (Acharya AB, Sánchez-Manso JC). Given the pervasive nature of schizophrenia's psychotic symptoms (hallucinations, delusions), the addition of anosognosia can ultimately prevent a patient from complying with any form of treatment intervention.

According to Katherine Ponte, Yale University faculty member and founder of For Like Minds, schizophrenia "may be the most poorly understood and stigmatized mental illness diagnosis" (Understanding Schizophrenia, NAMI). A tragic aspect of schizophrenia is that 15% of those diagnosed with the illness commit suicide (NAMI). The importance of funding scholarly research, clinically-proven treatment plans, and projects raising our collective awareness of schizophrenia cannot be overstated. Laurie Flynn, a former NAMI Executive Director, is an optimistic proponent of recovery for schizophrenic patients: "...While we cannot yet cure schizophrenia, we can give those who suffer from it a real chance for full and productive lives" (NAMI).

Stay tuned for our next blog post, "Learning About Schizophrenia, Part II," which will cover the typical diagnostic process and treatment methodology for schizophrenia.