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Health Line
2 days ago
- Health
- Health Line
What to Know About High Functioning Schizophrenia
When a person's schizophrenia symptoms do not appear to interfere with their daily life, their condition may be referred to as high functioning schizophrenia. But this is not an official diagnosis. Schizophrenia is a complex and varied psychiatric disorder that affects each person differently. Some people have relatively mild symptoms that come and go. Others experience more severe, persistent symptoms that interfere with their daily lives. When a person with schizophrenia is able to live a mostly independent life, hold a job, and maintain relationships, their condition is often referred to as 'high functioning.' Language matters The term 'high functioning' doesn't have a clear medical definition. Some clinicians use it to refer to people who require a lower level of assistance for daily activities. But terms like 'high functioning' and 'low functioning' don't account for people's unique life circumstances, abilities, and strengths. It's best to avoid using this kind of language outside of a conversation with your healthcare professional. What is high functioning schizophrenia? High functioning schizophrenia is a term used when people with schizophrenia are able to function well in daily life despite their diagnosis. They may have milder symptoms, or they may have developed good coping mechanisms despite having more severe symptoms. It's important to note that 'high functioning' is a subjective term and not a clinical diagnosis. And the label doesn't necessarily reflect the severity of a person's symptoms. People with high functioning schizophrenia may still experience significant challenges and need continuous treatment and support. A person's level of functioning can be influenced by a range of factors, including: Symptom severity: People with fewer or less severe symptoms may be able to function better in daily life than those with more severe symptoms. Treatment response: Those who get timely, appropriate treatment are more likely to maintain good functioning. Research from 2020 suggests that early intervention may be linked to better long-term outcomes. Personal coping strategies: Some people develop strong coping strategies that allow them to effectively manage their symptoms and prevent those symptoms from having a major effect on their daily life. Strong support network: Those with very supportive family and friends may be able to function better in daily life than those who don't have this support. Lack of other mental or physical health conditions: Many people with schizophrenia have other mental or physical health conditions that make it more difficult to function in daily life. People who don't have another condition may appear higher functioning. Symptoms of high functioning schizophrenia Any person with schizophrenia, whether it's considered 'high' or low' functioning, can experience the same types of symptoms. Schizophrenia symptoms are divided into positive, negative, and cognitive symptoms. Positive symptoms are those that 'add' to your personality (in other words, they weren't there before the condition). These symptoms include those of psychosis, such as: hallucinations delusions disorganized thoughts and speech atypical motor behavior (e.g., catatonia) Negative symptoms 'take away' from your personality and involve five key areas: alogia (reduction in the number of words spoken) anhedonia (reduced experience of pleasure) asociality (reduced social activity) avolition (reduced goal-directed activity, due to decreased motivation) blunted affect (difficulty expressing emotions, such as diminished facial expressions) Cognitive symptoms may include issues with: focus and attention span working memory executive functioning The negative symptoms of schizophrenia are often more challenging to treat than the positive symptoms. For some people with schizophrenia, these negative symptoms persist, even when positive symptoms are well managed. Research from 2020 suggests that negative symptoms are associated with poorer outlook and long-term disability. While many people with high functioning schizophrenia do have negative symptoms, these symptoms may be less severe. Diagnosing high functioning schizophrenia In the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th ed. text revision (DSM-5-TR), schizophrenia is now listed as a spectrum disorder. This more accurately represents the condition's wide range of symptoms that can change over time. It's important to note that high functioning schizophrenia is not a clinical diagnosis. So, whether a person exhibits a higher or lower level of functioning, they still have to meet the same diagnostic criteria. A diagnosis of schizophrenia must include at least two of the following symptoms, with one of these symptoms being among the first three: delusions hallucinations disorganized speech severely disorganized or catatonic behavior negative symptoms The symptoms must occur frequently for at least 1 month, with some symptoms lasting for more than 6 months. In addition, you'll need to have experienced reduced functioning in one or more important areas of life, such as personal relationships, work, or self-care. Treating schizophrenia Schizophrenia is typically treated with antipsychotic medication as well as various types of therapies and skills training. Schizophrenia may be treated with the following: Atypical antipsychotics: Atypical, or second-generation, antipsychotics are the first-line treatment for schizophrenia. These medications lower dopamine levels in the brain, which helps target symptoms of psychosis. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT): CBT helps people with schizophrenia identify and fix unhelpful thought processes and behaviors. Social skills training: Social skills interventions help people with schizophrenia learn social and independent living skills. These may include classes covering interpersonal skills and medication management. Cognitive remediation: This intervention focuses on skills such as attention, memory, and flexible thinking. Social cognition training: This intervention targets skills such as social perception (understanding social cues or body language), emotion perception (identifying others' emotions), and theory of mind (identifying and understanding another person's mental state). Some people with high functioning schizophrenia may have achieved symptom remission after responding well to treatment. Symptom remission means that your symptoms are mild enough to not significantly interfere with your life. Research from 2018 suggests that symptom remission is possible in 20% to 60% of people with schizophrenia, but this depends on many complex factors.
Daily Mail
08-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
Footy star reveals the moment he hit rock bottom due to his drug problem - and the three words of advice that made him turn his life around: 'I was in tatters'
Liam Stocker admitted he felt like he 'wasn't even a human being' during one of the lowest points of his life. Sat in a bathroom in a hotel in the Queensland hub one evening in 2020, the 25-year-old said he had spiralled out of control, using prescription medication as a coping mechanism to deal with his mental health issues. During that moment, the Stocker could not recall how many anti-anxiety tablets he had taken and admitted he 'couldn't think straight', but delivered a very clear message to those battling mental ill health, that it is important to speak up. The New South Wales born defender was drafted to Carlton as pick 19 of the 2018 National Draft, making his debut in round seven of the 2019 season before going on to make five appearances for the club that year. Stocker had suffered from anxiety and admitted that he found it difficult to deal with the issue, telling The Herald Sun during a candid and honest interview that he 'didn't know of any positive coping mechanisms' at the time. He turned to prescription medication, because, as he says, it eased the pain he had been feeling and dampened the noise around him. The footy star (pictured right) had been playing for Carlton when he had suffered from mental health issues and had used prescription drugs to cope with the illness Stocker admitted that he felt more nervous alone than when turning out in front of a packed MCG, but his problems came to a head while Carlton were in the hub during the Covid-19 affected season in 2020. 'I was just sitting in the bathroom in Queensland and I would have had – well, I don't know how many anti-anxiety tablets by that stage – but I couldn't think straight,' Stocker told The Herald Sun. He revealed that he had sent a message to the Blues' player development officer, Lilian O'Sullivan, adding: 'I was in tatters.' 'It was my second-to-last day in the hub, and I had been spiralling since I had got up there; in fact, I was past spiralling. While he had been in the hub for two weeks, he revealed he could hardly remember much of that time. It was then that he went to the development officer's room and opened up about what was going on. During that meeting, Carlton's assistant coach Brent Stanton also stepped in, with Stocker subsequently telling the footy coach that he was planning on leaving the hub and heading back home. But it was Stanton's three-word response that helped Stocker turn his life around. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Liam Stocker (@liamstocker) '"And then what?"' Stanton had asked the defender. 'He challenged me, and it was the first time anyone had really challenged my behaviour.' Stocker explained to the coach that he wanted to take three weeks away to address his mental wellbeing - but the Stanton responded: '"I don't think that's going to make a difference".' The former Carlton star was stunned by the words, admitting he was left questioning what he was going to do next - but admitted Stanton's comments were a crucial turning point. 'That was really the trigger point to really fix things myself. That is when things started to change,' Stocker said. He would leave his team in the hub, heading back to Melbourne to spend some time away from the game and did not feature for the Blues for the entirety of the 2020 season. After seeking professional help, with the assistance of the AFL, Stocker says things finally slotted into place. He revealed he realised that the prescription drugs were not going to be a long-term solution, adding that it was a 'consistency of routine that ends up fixing your problem'. While admitting he was nervous about seeing a psychiatrist and psychologist, he added it was needed. After making these changes, Stocker said it was here that 'everything improved one hundredfold.' The 25-year-old would make a return the following season, playing 17 games for Carlton and a further six in the 2022 campaign before he was delisted by the club. Questions had again mounted over his future in the game, with the footy star revealing he had planned to take up a mental health position at Old Haileybury. But St Kilda boss Ross Lyon issued another challenge to him. He and assistant coach Corey Enright offered the defender a career lifeline, with Stocker first joining the Saints in a training capacity after the 2022 season. Lyon would give him some tough love, advising the 25-year-old that he was unfit and said that to gain a spot on the list, he needd to lose some weight before January. Stocker did just that. He cut his weight, worked on his fitness and would secure his place in the side. That season, he'd go on to establish himself as a key component of St Kilda's backline, making 23 appearances and banking some career best numbers. This season, he is enjoying some of his best footy yet as one of the leagues most physical and astute defenders. He admits it is his feeling of 'belonging' at St Kilda that has been pivotal in helping him play at his best footy yet and added he's loving life playing in the red, white and black. This weekend, St Kilda will host their annual Spud's Game, in honour of the late footy great Danny Frawley, with the club raising awareness to those all around Australia that 'no one should have to carry mental health issues alone'. 'Spud's message is really clear, you just have to share this stuff,' Stocker said.
