Schizophrenia is a mental illness associated with a personality disorder. Translated from the Greek language means "splitting of the soul" or "splitting of the mind." Symptoms of the disease appear gradually, over a long time, it can be months, and in some cases, years. It is extremely difficult for a non-specialist to independently diagnose the disease.
Instructions
Step 1
Pay attention to the person's behavioral response. People suffering from schizophrenia become withdrawn, fenced off from the outside world, do not like to be in society. They have high irritability and frequent mood swings. Such individuals are mentally unstable. Talk to someone you know - with schizophrenia, the style and manner of conversation changes. Phrases can be short, sharp, and do not convey any information. These people cannot concentrate their thoughts on any particular topic.
Step 2
Observe not only the behavior of a person, but also how he relates to work and hobbies. This manifests itself as a negative symptomatology. Patients with schizophrenia are characterized by lack of will, apathy. They have a noticeably lowered energy potential, they are lacking in initiative. Invite him to do something that used to be enjoyable. A person suffering from schizophrenia will aimlessly do the same thing, but he will not be able to finish the work or business he has begun, he will simply abandon him for no reason.
Step 3
If you notice in such a person the presence of hallucinations, delusional fantasies, paranoid symptoms, notice pronounced confusion of speech, this indicates the appearance of secondary signs of schizophrenia. They are referred to as productive symptoms.
Step 4
Even if you detect signs of schizophrenia at the earliest stage of the disease, see the patient to a psychiatrist. Or consult with any mental health professional.
Step 5
Remember that none of the symptoms alone is sufficient confirmation of the presence of schizophrenia, since some signs may well accompany other pathological conditions. To rule out other illnesses that can provoke some of the symptoms of a mental disorder in your loved one, conduct a detailed neurological and therapeutic examination. This can only be done under stationary conditions.
