Paranoid schizophrenia is a form of psychotic disorder, and it’s a very common form of mental health condition. Today, we’ll discuss what is schizophrenia; its symptoms, causes, and treatment.
What is Paranoid Schizophrenia?
Paranoid schizophrenia is a form of psychotic disorder and it means that your mind doesn’t go along with reality. It impacts how you behave and think; it exhibits its symptoms differently at different times. The condition would begin in young adulthood or late adolescence.
The APA (American Psychiatric Association) identified paranoia as one of the good symptoms of schizophrenia in 2013, and not a distinct separate condition. They changed the name to only “schizophrenia,” but many people still use the old term “paranoid schizophrenia.”
Not every schizophrenic person would exhibit the symptoms of paranoia, but paranoia remains the main symptom. If you identify its symptom in early life and seek out treatment, then it would improve your quality of life.
Symptoms of Paranoid Schizophrenia
Some of the main symptoms of paranoid schizophrenia in different categories are as follows;
Delusions
Delusions mean believing in something that is not true, and there various types of delusions. Some of them are as follows;
- Reference Delusion: believing that many other insignificant things are specially for you
- Persecution Delusion: belief that one particular person is following you
- Grandeur Delusion: having a belief that you’re of great importance, wealth, and capabilities
- Control Delusion: believing that some type of external force or aliens are controlling your
Approximately 90% of the people with schizophrenic conditions experience delusions, and they all experience different types of delusions.
Hallucinations
Hallucinations comprise sensing and perceiving things to be there, but they aren’t there in reality. The most common form of hallucinations in the schizophrenic condition is hearing voices. Those voices are relevant to the people that you know. The symptoms of hallucination would aggravate when you’re living in isolation.
Disorganized Speech
The schizophrenic person would have disorganized speech. It comprises of starting talking in the middle of the sentence or and saying the phrase or work repetitively. They would make up their words and terms; they have difficulty focusing and concentrating. However, disorganized speech is not the same as speech impairment.
Disorganized Behavior
Disorganized behavior comprises the incapability of a person to manage their behavior in different contexts like at work or home. They would experience difficulties in;
- Limiting their behaviors that are inappropriate or odd
- Keep checking your emotions
- Controlling your impulses
- Performing daily routine activities
Negative Symptoms
The negative symptoms comprise limited behavior, and they’re common among people that don’t have the schizophrenic condition. Some of the negative symptoms are as follows;
- Limited interest in the world
- Blunted expression
- Limited emotions
- Not excited about activities that were fun
Suicidal Thoughts
Suicidal behaviors and thoughts are another sign of a schizophrenic condition. It would occur often if you don’t treat it on time. If you know someone that is having self-harming thoughts and suicidal behaviors, then you should refer them to the healthcare provider as soon as you can.
Causes of Paranoid Schizophrenia
Researchers don’t know the exact cause of the schizophrenic condition. It has got a high probability of having genetic traits and it runs in the family. But it doesn’t mean that every person that has got a schizophrenic condition would develop this condition. Some of the main risk factors relevant to the schizophrenic condition are as follows;
- Exposure to viruses before childbirth or during infancy
- Losing or separation from parents at the young age
- Limited oxygen level at birth
- Childhood abuse
- Brain abnormalities
Treatment of Paranoid Schizophrenia
The treatment plan for paranoid schizophrenia could be medication, therapy, or hospitalization. A successful treatment plan would employ combinations of approaches.
They’re as follows;
Medication
Doctors usually prescribe antipsychotic medicines to treat the symptoms of hallucinations and delusions. They help you to manage the dopamine level in the brain, and they comprise as follows;
- Perphenazine
- Haloperidol
- Fluphenazine
- Chlorpromazine
- Antipsychotic medications have got some side effects, and your doctor would prescribe you the drug that has got limited side effects relevant to your condition. The continuation of the medicines and treatment plan would treat symptoms over time. You should discuss with your doctor if you’re experiencing any of its symptoms. Some of the main side effects of antipsychotic medicines are as follows;
- Weight gain
- Blurred vision
- Uncontrollable movements
- Vomiting
- Nausea
- Lower blood pressure
- Dry mouth
- Fatigue or drowsiness
- Dizziness
Therapy
The therapeutic approach would comprise psychosocial or group therapy. Group therapy would help you to meet with other people that are going through the same type of challenges. It creates a sense of community in you and makes you feel that you aren’t alone.
Psychosocial therapy would help you to deal with routine life challenges. It combines social strategies with talk therapy in order to help you to function in various social settings. However, they teach you stress management and mindfulness techniques.
Hospitalization
A medication and therapeutic plan would work if you recognize the schizophrenic condition in the early stages and start the plan. If a person is at the risk of harming himself or committing suicide, then one needs hospitalization.
Conclusion: What is Paranoid Schizophrenia? Symptoms, Causes, Treatment
After an in-depth study of what is paranoid schizophrenia; its symptoms, causes, and treatment; we have realized that the schizophrenic condition would badly impact your life. If you’re experiencing its symptoms, then you should consult with the therapist as soon as you can.
Ahsan is an accomplished researcher and has a deep insight in worldly life affairs. He goes Live 3 days a week on various social media platforms. Other than research writing, he’s a very interesting person.
