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Health Line
5 days ago
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- Health Line
How Do They Diagnose Schizophrenia?
Key takeaways A diagnosis of schizophrenia requires the presence of at least two symptoms, severe enough to impact work or social functioning, and not related to another disorder. Schizophrenia can be mistaken for other conditions like bipolar I disorder or schizoaffective disorder, so it's important to differentiate the specific symptoms and seek a professional opinion. Following a schizophrenia diagnosis, treatment options like medication, psychotherapy, and lifestyle changes can help manage symptoms and improve overall quality of life. A diagnosis of schizophrenia can help clarify the symptoms you may be told you're experiencing. Friends and family may tell you to visit a doctor, but you may not feel it's warranted. In other cases, you may realize that something seems off in your day-to-day interactions and want a professional opinion. Disturbances in your perception of reality signify the hallmark of schizophrenia. These disturbances usually include delusions or hallucinations. They can lead to distorted beliefs or the perception of something that isn't there. Managing these symptoms starts with getting the right help. Schizophrenia can sometimes be confused with other mental health conditions, so it's important to talk with a mental health specialist. How is schizophrenia diagnosed? According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edition, text revision (DSM-5-TR), at least one negative symptom and one positive symptom must be present for a mental health professional to make a schizophrenia diagnosis. Symptoms have to be severe enough to interfere with your work or social function, and they can't be related to another disorder. A person must have two or more of the following symptoms: delusions hallucinations disorganized speech grossly disorganized or catatonic behavior negative symptoms At least one of these symptoms must be delusions, hallucinations, or disorganized speech. The amount of time you experience the symptoms is also important. You must have symptoms for the majority of at least 1 month within a period of at least 6 months. Symptoms of schizophrenia The DSM-5-TR groups symptoms of schizophrenia into two categories: positive and negative. These categories indicate how each particular symptom affects your function. Positive symptoms Positive symptoms are the trademark of schizophrenia. They indicate changes in behavior or thoughts. Positive symptoms are sometimes collectively referred to as 'psychosis,' which indicates a disturbance in your perception of reality. Positive symptoms include: hallucinations delusions disorganized or catatonic behavior confused thoughts or speech Negative symptoms Negative symptoms indicate a withdrawal from the world. Symptoms include: reduced emotional expression lack of motivation fewer words spoken social withdrawal reduced ability to experience pleasure low energy impaired attention indifference Alternative diagnoses of schizophrenia Other disorders can resemble schizophrenia. While they're not quite the same, they do share some features that can sometimes confuse the diagnosis. Bipolar I disorder Bipolar I disorder is typically defined by episodes of mania, which is different from psychosis. However, sometimes manic or depression symptoms can be so severe that you experience a delusion or hallucination. These severe episodes may seem like schizophrenia to a doctor at first. Schizoaffective disorder This diagnosis features a combination of symptoms from both schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Since it's a combination of two mood disorders, it's a bit more complex than schizophrenia. For this reason, schizoaffective disorder can be difficult to diagnose. Schizoaffective disorder is also very rare. According to the American Psychiatric Association, it's about one-third as common as schizophrenia, affecting around 0.3% of people. Drug-induced psychosis Certain drugs can lead to episodes of psychosis. If you're not taking any drugs but recently experienced psychosis, it's likely that drugs did not cause the psychosis. Some drugs that can produce psychosis include: benzodiazepines corticosteroids dextromethorphan ketamine phenytoin Always be sure to follow your prescribing doctor's dosage recommendations. Changing your dose can sometimes lead to severe side effects or other unwanted symptoms. What to do after a schizophrenia diagnosis Schizophrenia can make your life challenging, but there are various treatment options that can improve your quality of life and help manage your symptoms. Finding the treatment plan that works best for you can make living with schizophrenia less challenging. Major treatment goals in schizophrenia are usually the prevention of psychosis and the improvement of quality of life. A doctor commonly prescribes a combination of therapies to achieve these goals. Medication Treatment for schizophrenia typically begins with antipsychotic medications. They can prevent episodes of psychosis, which can help improve quality of life and social functioning, according to 2018 research. Commonly prescribed antipsychotics include: Abilify (aripiprazole) Geodon (ziprasidone) Invega (paliperidone) Latuda (lurasidone) Rexulti (brexpiprazole) Risperdal (risperidone) Saphris (asenapine) Seroquel (quetiapine) Vraylar (cariprazine) Zyprexa (olanzapine) In some cases, a doctor may prescribe benzodiazepines to improve anxiety and behavior. However, antipsychotics are usually prescribed first. It's normal to take some time to find a compatible medication. Psychotherapy Psychotherapy is also recommended for schizophrenia. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), in particular, has been shown to improve positive symptoms, according to a 2018 meta-analysis. The effectiveness of CBT for negative symptoms is still being studied. It's also thought that CBT may help prevent episodes of psychosis altogether, but more research is needed. Education and lifestyle One of the biggest contributors to poor health in schizophrenia is cardiovascular disease, according to 2022 research. Your doctor will likely discuss the importance of lifestyle strategies to help reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease. These recommendations usually include: Bottom line Diagnosing schizophrenia is the first step in getting the care you may need. This may start with a visit to your primary care doctor, but regardless of where you go first, it will usually end in the office of a psychiatrist. This mental health specialist can confirm your diagnosis. Working with the right care team and doing your best to stick with your recommended treatments can significantly improve your quality of life. Your friends and family can also play an important role in helping you feel better and make any needed lifestyle changes.
Medical News Today
7 days ago
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- Medical News Today
What are the differences between drug-induced psychosis and schizophrenia?
Both drug-induced psychosis and schizophrenia can cause similar symptoms. However, drug-induced psychosis only occurs from drug use, whereas schizophrenia can have several different psychosis and schizophrenia can both cause delusions and hallucinations. However, this is typically where the similarities two conditions have different causes and occur for different durations. For example, drug-induced psychosis may only last a few hours following drug intake, whereas a person must exhibit schizophrenia symptoms for 6 months or more for a full article summarizes the main differences between drug-induced psychosis and schizophrenia and discusses their causes, symptoms, and diagnosis. It will also detail the treatment and outlook for both conditions. Key differencesAccording to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edition, text revision (DSM-5-TR), there are several key differences between schizophrenia and drug-induced psychosis. The table below outlines psychosisWhat are the symptoms?Schizophrenia must include delusions, hallucinations, or disorganized speech. They may also include disorganized behavior and catatonic psychosis must include delusions or are the causes?Genetic and environmental factors. Drug-induced psychosis can also transition into drugs, such as cannabis, hallucinogens, and long can it last?Symptoms must affect a person for at least 6 months before they can receive a diagnosis. People can experience recovery periods that last for years, but typically it is a chronic acute phase may only last a few hours. However, symptoms can persist for several do doctors treat it?Antipsychotic medications can help with the acute phase. They can also be useful in the longer term, alongside nonpharmaceutical interventions, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).Antipsychotic medications help manage the acute phase. Doctors may then try to address the underlying cause of the drug from 2021 states that drug-induced psychosis refers to a psychotic episode from the misuse of or withdrawal from a authors write that it may also have links to:higher levels of dopaminethe severity of drug misuse and dependencemisusing more than one drugThe DSM-5-TR defines substance-induced psychotic disorder as a psychiatric disease that features delusions, hallucinations, or both during or soon after substance intoxication or withdrawal. Furthermore, health experts are yet to fully understand the symptoms of a psychotic disorder that do not relate to substance of a 2020 systematic review and meta-analysis write that drug-induced psychosis can lead to long-term experiences of psychotic conditions such as schizophrenia. They note that research suggests a person is at significant risk of transitioning from drug-induced psychosis to long-term illness if they take cannabis, hallucinogens, or amphetamines. However, this transition may be less frequent in opioids, alcohol, and sedative all drug use leads to drug-induced psychosis. Scientists remain unsure about why some drug use leads to these episodes. However, research has shown that several different drugs are able to cause include:cannabishallucinogensamphetaminesalcohol withdrawalsedatives withdrawalCauses of psychosisThe National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) writes that there is no one cause for may be a symptom of a mental health condition such as causes include:sleep deprivationsome prescription medicationsalcohol misusecannabisCauses of schizophreniaOverall, scientists are uncertain about the exact causes of schizophrenia. However, possible causes include having multiple issues within the brain's neurotransmitters, which may sometimes have a genetic have also identified environmental risk factors for schizophrenia. These include:atypical fetal developmentgestational diabeteslow birth weighthaving a complicated birth, such as the mother having an infection during pregnancymaternal malnutritionbeing born in the winterliving in an urban environmentSymptomsThe DSM-5-TR lists the symptoms of drug-induced psychosis and schizophrenia. Symptoms of drug-induced psychosis include delusions and following are symptoms of drug-induced schizophrenia:delusionshallucinationsdisorganized speech, which may be unfocused or incoherenthighly disorganized or catatonic behaviordiminished emotional expression or lack of motivationDiagnosisThe DSM-5-TR states that doctors and psychiatrists must consider several different factors to diagnose drug-induced psychosis and diagnose an individual with drug-induced psychosis, medical professionals must be confident of the following criteria:the individual has at least one symptom of drug-induced psychosisthe symptoms must have begun during or just after drug use or during drug withdrawalthe symptoms are not the result of a different psychotic disorderthe symptoms persist even when the individual is not intoxicated the symptoms cause significant problems with the individual's work or social functioningTo diagnose an individual with schizophrenia, medical professionals must be confident of the following criteria:for at least 1 month, the individual has at least two schizophrenia symptomsfor at least 1 month, one of those symptoms must be delusions, hallucinations, or disorganized speechthe symptoms cause significant problems with the individual's work, social functioning, or ability to self-carethe symptoms do not indicate conditions such as schizoaffective disorder, depression, or bipolar disorderthe symptoms are not the direct result of drug usethe individual has some negative symptoms, such as a diminished emotional expression or lack of motivationIn autistic people or those with childhood communication disorders, schizophrenia diagnoses are more complicated. Healthcare professionals must make sure that the individual has experienced severe delusions or hallucinations for at least 1 and managementAccording to a 2022 review, doctors mainly treat drug-induced psychosis with antipsychotic medications. These medications help manage the symptoms during the acute phase of this the acute phase has passed, doctors will attempt to address the underlying cause. With drug-induced psychosis, drug intoxication might have played a treatment for schizophrenia is very complex. Research has shown that certain oral antipsychotic medications can help with the acute phase of the an acute phase of schizophrenia, doctors typically recommend antipsychotics in the form of a slow-acting injection. This can help the individual avoid symptom relapse and maintain their interventions are also useful and might include art therapy, drama therapy, or CBT. A person should also get support while they gradually reenter their outlook for people with schizophrenia varies factors can make it harder for individuals to manage their condition. These include:a slow, gradual disease onsetthe disease beginning during childhood or adolescencean impaired ability to think However, other factors can make it easier for people to manage their condition:acute disease onsetbeing femaleliving in a developed countrySchizophrenia can severely disrupt someone's personal and professional life. It can also lead to suicidal ideation. In people with this condition, the most common cause of premature death is to 2019 research, between 24% and 32% of people with drug-induced psychosis may go on to develop other mental health conditions, such as bipolar disorder or schizophrenia spectrum disorder. This risk is highest in people whose drug-induced psychosis came from cannabis the outlook for people with drug-induced psychosis is uncertain. A 2021 study notes there is very little data on the treatment, outcome, and clinical best practices regarding drug-induced is out thereIf you or someone you know is in crisis and considering suicide or self-harm, please seek support:Call or text the 988 Lifeline at 988 or chat at Caring counselors are available to listen and provide free and confidential support 24/ HOME to the Crisis Text Line at 741741 to connect with a volunteer crisis counselor for free and confidential support 24/ in the United States? Find a helpline in your country with Befrienders 911 or your local emergency services number if you feel safe to do you're calling on behalf of someone else, stay with them until help arrives. You may remove weapons or substances that can cause harm if you can do so you're not in the same household, stay on the phone with them until help and drug-induced psychosis are conditions that can both lead to delusions and hallucinations. However, they are not the and drug-induced psychosis have different symptoms, diagnostic criteria, and is a lack of research on how to treat and manage drug-induced psychosis, but common treatments include antipsychotic medications.
Health Line
07-07-2025
- Health
- Health Line
Seasonal Depression in the Spring: Causes and How to Manage It
Some people may experience seasonal depression during the spring. Symptoms can include low mood, reduced motivation, and more. Home remedies and medical treatments may help. Seasonal depression, previously known as seasonal affective disorder (SAD), involves symptoms that come and go as the seasons change. Most commonly, symptoms of seasonal depression begin in the fall and winter and improve as spring rolls around, but that's not always the case. Some people refer to seasonal depression in the spring and summer months as 'reverse SAD.' Read on to learn more about the symptoms of seasonal depression in the spring, what may cause it, how to manage symptoms, and more. What spring depression feels like The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5-TR) officially recognizes seasonal depression as major depressive disorder (MDD) with a seasonal pattern. Spring depression involves many of the same signs and symptoms as major depression, though symptoms won't necessarily show up in the exact same way for everyone, just as they won't with other types of MDD. As the winter days lengthen and spring approaches, you might notice: a general low mood, which can include persistent feelings of sadness and hopelessness little or no interest in your usual activities (anhedonia) difficulty finding the motivation for your regular daily routine changes in energy, including lethargy or restlessness insomnia and other sleep difficulties trouble with concentrating or remembering information loss of appetite unexplained weight loss unusual agitation or irritability feelings of anger or aggression thoughts of death, dying, or suicide Having thoughts of suicide? Crisis helplines connect you with trained counselors who can offer compassionate support during a time of crisis. Crisis counselors don't give advice or provide professional mental health treatment, but they can listen to what's on your mind and help you identify some next steps toward getting care and treatment. To get free, confidential, 24/7 support: Text. Reach the Crisis Text Line by texting 'HOME' to 741-741. Call. Reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988. Why spring depression happens Spring depression is less common than winter depression, and experts don't know for certain exactly what causes it. There are a few possible reasons. Increased daylight and warmth If you don't handle heat well, warmer days may bring discomfort, especially when they involve more hours of daylight. Extreme brightness and heat could leave you feeling low and unmotivated and factor into increased restlessness and irritability. The increase in sunlight can also disrupt circadian rhythms and throw off your typical sleep-wake cycle, making it more difficult to get the amount of sleep you need for optimal health and well-being. Bright sunny days can leave your brain on high alert, making it difficult to relax when you need to wind down. Imbalances in brain chemicals Your brain produces a number of different neurotransmitters, or chemical messengers, that help regulate mood, emotions, and other important bodily processes. But having too much or too few of them in your system can disrupt typical function and play a part in the development of mood and mental health symptoms. Experts believe that winter depression relates, in part, to a drop in serotonin, a chemical that's typically produced after exposure to natural light. An increase in melatonin, another hormone linked to winter depression, can leave you feeling more tired and lethargic than usual. It may be the case that that spring depression may follow the reverse pattern: The sudden increase in sunlight cues your body to produce less melatonin, so you end up getting less sleep than you need. Lack of sleep can contribute to or worsen symptoms of depression. At the same time, levels of serotonin in your body increase as a natural outcome of longer days and sunnier weather. While too little serotonin is linked to depression, too much could also contribute to mental health concerns, including social anxiety disorder. If you're particularly sensitive to these changes, a surplus of serotonin and lack of sleep could potentially contribute to feelings of irritability and restlessness, along with a low mood. Seasonal allergies Seasonal allergies may contribute to changes in your mood, including feelings of depression. A 2017 study found that people with seasonal allergic rhinitis were more likely to experience depression than those without allergies during pollen season. In addition, seasonal allergies can also affect your quality of sleep, which in turn may contribute to depression. How to manage spring depression The following strategies may help ease symptoms of depression in spring and improve your overall mood. Practice good sleep hygiene Lack of sleep can have a major impact on spring depression symptoms. To improve your sleep, aim to keep your room dark and cool with fans, blackout curtains, and layered, breathable bedding. Making it a habit to get up and go to bed at the same time every day doesn't hurt, either. Keep cool While there's no conclusive evidence that sensitivity to heat contributes to spring depression, feeling uncomfortably hot most of the time likely won't do much to improve your mood. You can take steps to keep cool by: staying hydrated and drinking cool drinks staying out of direct sunlight wearing lightweight and breathable clothing avoiding strenuous exercise avoiding hot foods and drinks using a fan or air conditioning where possible Make time for physical activity Regular exercise can help relieve stress and ease symptoms of depression and anxiety. To stay cool during exercise, try swimming, exercising in an air-conditioned facility, or sticking to early morning and evening workouts, if you're able to. Try meditation or journaling Both meditation and journaling can help you identify and accept difficult or unwanted emotions, including feelings of depression. Reach out to loved ones Letting the people in your life know what you're going through might feel tough at first. It can help to remember that your family and friends care for you and likely want to offer support, even if that just means listening to your feelings or keeping you company when you feel down. Stick to a routine A work or school schedule that changes in the spring can leave you feeling lethargic, unmotivated, and at loose ends. Creating a daily routine that balances chores, goal-directed activities like studying or learning new skills, and enjoyable activities can help daily life feel more structured and satisfying. Eat a balanced diet You may not always feel like eating if you experience depression, but not getting the right nutrients can leave you irritable, not to mention affect concentration and Consuming a balanced diet may help relieve symptoms. If you regularly lack appetite, speak with your doctor for ways to consume enough nutrients. Finding medical treatment for spring depression As with all other types of depression, spring depression may not improve without support from a trained mental health professional. Coping strategies can help, but they won't always lead to long term relief. Reaching out for professional support is always a good idea when: feelings of depression and other seasonal mood changes last for longer than 2 weeks, as this could indicate major depression symptoms begin to affect your daily life and relationships you have thoughts of self-harm or suicide you have difficulty regulating intense emotions, like anger, worry, and sadness your symptoms get worse over time You can contact a mental health specialist directly or speak with your doctor for guidance on how to find the right treatment for you. »FIND CARE: Find a mental health specialist in your area today. Therapy Doctors may recommend therapy such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for seasonal depression. CBT teaches techniques to help you identify and address unwanted thoughts and behavior patterns. CBT for seasonal depression (CBT-SAD) might include techniques such as behavioral activation, which helps you create a routine of enjoyable activities and positive or rewarding habits. Medication If you'd like to try treating seasonal depression with medication, a psychiatrist or other prescribing clinician may recommend antidepressant medication. They can advise on the type of antidepressants they recommend, as well as how often you may need to take them and any side effects that may develop. The bottom line Seasonal depression in spring can cause symptoms such as a low mood, irritability, changes in energy, insomnia, and more. While the exact cause is unclear, spring depression could happen due to increased daylight and warmth, imbalances in brain chemicals, and seasonal allergies. Some steps to help manage spring depression include keeping cool, practicing good sleep hygiene, sticking to a routine, and reaching out to loved ones. You can also speak with a doctor for information about therapy and medications that may help.
Health Line
25-06-2025
- Health
- Health Line
Common and Unique Phobias Explained
Phobias are an intense fear of something, like heights or certain animals, that causes significant distress. They're typically treated with therapy, medication, or a combination of both. A phobia is an irrational fear of something that's unlikely to cause harm. The word itself comes from the Greek word'phobos,' which means 'fear' or 'horror.' Hydrophobia, for example, literally translates to fear of water. When someone has a phobia, they experience intense fear of a certain object or situation. Phobias are different from regular fears because they cause significant distress, possibly interfering with life at home, work, or school. People with phobias actively avoid the phobic object or situation, or they endure it with intense fear or anxiety. In the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edition (DSM-5), the American Psychiatric Association outlines several of the most common phobias. Agoraphobia, a fear of places or situations that trigger fear or helplessness, is singled out as a particularly common fear with its own unique diagnosis. Social phobias, which are fears related to social situations, are also singled out with a unique diagnosis. Phobias come in all shapes and sizes. Because there are an infinite number of objects and situations, the list of specific phobias is quite long. Types of phobias According to the DSM-5, specific phobias typically fall within five general categories: fears related to animals (spiders, dogs, insects) fears related to the natural environment (heights, thunder, darkness) fears related to blood, injury, or medical issues (injections, broken bones, falls) fears related to specific situations (flying, riding an elevator, driving) other (fear of choking, loud noises, drowning) These categories encompass an infinite number of specific objects and situations. There's no official list of phobias beyond what's outlined in the DSM-5, so clinicians and researchers create names for them as the need arises. This is typically done by combining a Greek (or sometimes Latin) prefix that describes the phobia with the – phobia suffix. For example, a fear of water would be named by combining 'hydro' (water) and 'phobia' (fear). There's also such a thing as a fear of fears (phobophobia). This is actually more common than you might imagine. People with anxiety disorders sometimes experience panic attacks when they're in certain situations. These panic attacks can be so uncomfortable that people do everything they can to avoid them in the future. For example, if you have a panic attack while sailing, you may fear sailing in the future, but you may also fear panic attacks or fear developing hydrophobia. List of phobias Studying specific phobias is a complicated process. Most people don't seek treatment for these conditions, so cases largely go unreported. These phobias also vary based on cultural experiences, gender, and age. Here's a look at some phobias that have been identified. A achluophobia fear of darkness acrophobia fear of heights aerophobia fear of flying agoraphobia fear of public spaces or crowds aichmophobia fear of needles or pointed objects ailurophobia fear of cats alektorophobia fear of chickens algophobia fear of pain amaxophobia fear of riding in a car androphobia fear of men anginophobia fear of angina or choking anthophobia fear of flowers anthropophobia fear of people or society aphenphosmphobia fear of being touched arachnophobia fear of spiders arithmophobia fear of numbers astraphobia fear of thunder and lightning ataxophobia fear of disorder or untidiness atelophobia fear of imperfection atychiphobia fear of failure autophobia fear of being alone B bacteriophobia fear of bacteria barophobia fear of gravity bathmophobia fear of stairs or steep slopes batrachophobia fear of amphibians belonephobia fear of pins and needles bibliophobia fear of books botanophobia fear of plants C cacophobia fear of ugliness catagelophobia fear of being ridiculed catoptrophobia fear of mirrors chionophobia fear of snow chromophobia fear of colors chronomentrophobia fear of clocks cibophobia fear of food claustrophobia fear of confined spaces coulrophobia fear of clowns cyberphobia fear of computers cynophobia fear of dogs D dendrophobia fear of trees dentophobia fear of dentists domatophobia fear of houses dystychiphobia fear of accidents E emetophobia fear of vomiting entomophobia fear of insects ephebiphobia fear of teenagers equinophobia fear of horses G gamophobia fear of marriage or commitment genuphobia fear of knees glossophobia fear of speaking in public gynophobia fear of women H heliophobia fear of the sun hemophobia fear of blood herpetophobia fear of reptiles hydrophobia fear of water hypochondria fear of illness I–K iatrophobia fear of doctors insectophobia fear of insects koinoniphobia fear of rooms full of people L leukophobia fear of the color white lilapsophobia fear of tornadoes and hurricanes lockiophobia fear of childbirth M mageirocophobia fear of cooking megalophobia fear of large things melanophobia fear of the color black microphobia fear of small things mysophobia fear of dirt and germs N necrophobia fear of death or dead things noctiphobia fear of the night nosocomephobia fear of hospitals nyctophobia fear of the dark O obesophobia fear of gaining weight octophobia fear of the number 8 ombrophobia fear of rain ophidiophobia fear of snakes ornithophobia fear of birds P papyrophobia fear of paper pathophobia fear of disease pedophobia fear of children philophobia fear of love phobophobia fear of phobias podophobia fear of feet pogonophobia fear of beards porphyrophobia fear of the color purple pteridophobia fear of ferns pteromerhanophobia fear of flying pyrophobia fear of fire Q–S samhainophobia fear of Halloween scolionophobia fear of school selenophobia fear of the moon sociophobia fear of social evaluation somniphobia fear of sleep T tachophobia fear of speed technophobia fear of technology thalassophobia fear of deep water tonitrophobia fear of thunder trypanophobia fear of needles or injections trypophobia fear of clustered patterns of holes U–Z venustraphobia fear of beautiful women verminophobia fear of germs wiccaphobia fear of witches and witchcraft zoophobia fear of animals Treating a phobia Phobias are typically treated with therapy, medication, or a combination of both: Exposure therapy. During exposure therapy, which is a type of cognitive behavioral therapy, you work with a psychologist to learn how to desensitize yourself to the object or situation that you fear. The goal is to improve your quality of life so that you're no longer hindered or distressed by your fear. Anti-anxiety medication. A doctor may recommend certain anxiety-reducing medications that can help you through exposure therapy. While these medications aren't exactly a treatment for phobias, they can help make exposure therapy less distressing. Other medications. A doctor might also prescribe beta-blockers and benzodiazepines to manage feelings of anxiety or panic. Takeaway Phobias are persistent, intense, and unrealistic fears of a certain object or situation. Specific phobias are related to certain objects and situations. They typically involve fears related to animals, natural environments, medical issues, or specific situations. While phobias can be extremely uncomfortable and challenging, therapy and medication can help. If you think you may have a phobia that's causing a disruption in your life, speak with a doctor for an evaluation and treatment options.
Health Line
07-06-2025
- Health
- Health Line
Types of Schizophrenia
Key takeaways The DSM-5 no longer recognizes schizophrenia subtypes as separate diagnostic categories. However, the five classical subtypes (paranoid, hebephrenic, undifferentiated, residual, and catatonic) can still be helpful as specifiers for treatment planning. Schizophrenia affects approximately 1% of people in the United States, with men typically receiving a diagnosis in their late teens to early 20s and women typically receiving a diagnosis in their late 20s to early 30s. When schizophrenia occurs in children (which is rare), symptoms in older children and teens can include social withdrawal, sleep disruptions, impaired school performance, irritability, irregular behavior, and substance use. Schizophrenia is a chronic mental health disorder that affects: emotions the ability to think rationally and clearly the ability to interact with and relate to others The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) reports that research indicates that schizophrenia affects close to 1% of people in the United States. Men typically receive a schizophrenia diagnosis in their late teens to early 20s. Women typically receive a diagnosis in their late 20s to early 30s. Episodes of the illness can come and go, similar to the process of remission. When there's an 'active' period, an individual might experience: Current DSM-5 status Diagnostic changes were made for several disorders in the new Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition, text revision (DSM-5-TR), including schizophrenia. In the past, an individual only had to have one of the symptoms to receive a confirmed diagnosis Now, a person must have at least two of the symptoms. The DSM-5 also removed the subtypes as separate diagnostic categories, based on the presenting symptom. This was found to not be helpful, since many subtypes overlapped with one another and were thought to decrease the diagnostic validity, according to the American Psychiatric Association (APA). Instead, these subtypes are now specifiers for the overarching diagnosis, to provide more detail for the clinician. Subtypes of schizophrenia Although the subtypes don't exist as separate clinical disorders anymore, they can still be helpful as specifiers and for treatment planning. There are five classical subtypes: paranoid hebephrenic undifferentiated residual catatonic Paranoid schizophrenia In 2013, the APA determined that paranoia was a positive symptom of the disorder. Paranoid schizophrenia was no longer considered a separate condition. However, the subtype description is still used because of how common this symptom is. Symptoms include: delusions hallucinations disorganized speech (word salad, echolalia) trouble concentrating behavioral impairment (impulse control challenges, emotional lability) flat affect Hebephrenic (disorganized) schizophrenia Hebephrenic or disorganized schizophrenia is still recognized by the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (ICD-10), although it's been removed from the DSM-5-TR. In this variation of schizophrenia, the individual does not have hallucinations or delusions. Instead, they experience disorganized behavior and speech. This can include: flat affect (inability to display emotions) speech disturbances disorganized thinking involuntary or unexpected emotions or facial reactions trouble with daily activities Undifferentiated schizophrenia Undifferentiated schizophrenia was the term used to describe when an individual displayed behaviors that were applicable to more than one type of schizophrenia. For instance, an individual who had catatonic behavior but also had delusions or hallucinations and disorganized speech might have received a diagnosis of undifferentiated schizophrenia. With the new diagnostic criteria, this merely signifies to the clinician that a variety of symptoms are present. Residual schizophrenia This 'subtype' is a bit tricky. It's been used when a person has a previous diagnosis of schizophrenia but no longer has any prominent symptoms of the disorder. The symptoms have generally lessened in intensity. Residual schizophrenia usually includes more 'negative' than positive symptoms, such as: flattened affect psychomotor difficulties slowed speech limited attentiveness to personal hygiene Many people with schizophrenia go through periods where their symptoms wax and wane (increase and decrease) and vary in frequency and intensity. Therefore, this designation is rarely used anymore. Catatonic schizophrenia Although catatonic schizophrenia had been listed as a subtype in the first Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders first edition (1952) through the DSM-4 (1994), the DSM-5 removed it as a subtype. Catatonia is now considered a specifier. This is because it occurs in a variety of psychiatric and general medical conditions. Catatonic schizophrenia typically presents itself as immobility, but it can also look like: mimicking behavior mutism (inability to speak) a stupor-like condition (reduced responsiveness) Childhood schizophrenia Childhood schizophrenia isn't a subtype but rather an indicator of the time of diagnosis. A diagnosis in children is fairly uncommon. When it does occur, it can be severe. Early onset schizophrenia typically occurs between ages 13 and 18 years. A diagnosis under age 13 years is considered very early onset and is extremely rare. Symptoms in very young children are similar to those of developmental disorders, such as autism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). These symptoms can include: language delays late or unusual crawling or walking irregular motor movements It's important to rule out developmental issues when considering a very early onset schizophrenia diagnosis. Symptoms in older children and teens include: social withdrawal sleep disruptions impaired school performance irritability irregular behavior substance use Younger individuals are less likely to have delusions, but they're more likely to have hallucinations. As teens get older, more typical symptoms of schizophrenia — like those seen in adults — usually emerge. It's important to have a knowledgeable professional make a diagnosis of childhood schizophrenia because it's so rare. It's crucial to rule out any other condition, including substance use or an organic medical issue. A child psychiatrist with experience in childhood schizophrenia should lead the treatment team and discussions about its plan. Treatment typically involves a combination approach that can include: Conditions related to schizophrenia Schizoaffective disorder Schizoaffective disorder is a separate and different condition from schizophrenia, but sometimes it gets lumped in with it. This disorder has elements of both schizophrenia and mood disorders. Psychosis, which involves a loss of connection with reality, is often a component. Mood disorders can include either mania or depression. Schizoaffective disorder is further classified into subtypes based on whether a person has only depressive episodes or whether they also have manic episodes with or without depression. Symptoms can include: paranoid thoughts delusions or hallucinations trouble concentrating depression hyperactivity or mania limited attentiveness to personal hygiene appetite disturbance sleep disruptions social withdrawal disorganized thinking or behavior Diagnosis is typically made through a thorough physical exam, interview, and psychiatric evaluation. It's important to rule out any medical conditions or any other mental illnesses like bipolar disorder. Treatments include: medications group or individual therapy practical life skills training Other related conditions Other related conditions to schizophrenia include: delusional disorder brief psychotic disorder schizophreniform disorder
