Often confused with split personality disorder, schizophrenia is a brain-related disorder that is characterized by the loss of contact with reality. With split personality disorder, people act differently, talk differently and believe they are someone else. Schizophrenic people hear voices, see things, hold onto false beliefs, think abnormally, withdraw socially and display flattened emotions. A schizophrenia diagnosis is usually made from ages 18 to 30, which persists indefinitely, making life with paranoid schizophrenia difficult to cope with. Currently, diagnosing this disorder is difficult because the causes aren’t very clear.

Before a diagnosis of schizophrenia is made, the patient is subjected to a standard physical exam that includes recording height, weight, blood pressure, heart rate, temperature, and the functionality of the lungs, heart and abdomen. Tests like drug and alcohol screening, an MRI and a complete blood count are sometimes used to rule out other causes for the signs and symptoms. Then, a mental health specialist will speak with the person about his or her behavior, thoughts and feelings. The indicators of schizophrenia include significant problems with the ability to do your job or carry out day to day activities, symptoms that persist for 6 months or more, as well as the presence of delusions, hallucinations, catatonic behavior, and the display of confused speech and behavior.

The American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (version DSM-IV-TR) is the most widely accepted method for schizophrenia diagnosis. According to the manual, at least three diagnostic criteria must be met. First, the patient must exhibit at least two characteristic symptoms, such as delusions, hallucinations, disorganized speech, catatonic behavior, constant crying, eccentric dress, flattened emotions, inappropriate emotions, decline in motivation and lack of speech. Secondly, there must be a sudden social or occupational dysfunction, meaning that the individual finds it difficult to practice proper hygiene, communicate with others, show up to work, have interpersonal relationships or complete coursework in school. Lastly, for a paranoid schizophrenic diagnosis to be made, the signs must have been present for at least six months.

The National Institute of Mental Health is presently providing funding for further studies to see if magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can provide a way of diagnosing this condition. Still other researchers claim that they have discovered diagnostic criteria for schizophrenia within images resulting from brain scans. The diagnosis for this disease is considered 91% correct with MRI technology. The research indicates that there are unique patterns that can be used to diagnose patients with schizophrenia. There appears to be decreased volume in particular regions of the brain associated with motivation, learning and memory.

There are several questions a patient should ask his or her doctor following a schizophrenia diagnosis. First, “Why are you considering a diagnosis of schizophrenia?” Since there are no easy blood or DNA tests to diagnose this disorder, it’s good to know what factors led to this conclusion. Secondly, “Can I get a second opinion?” Look for someone whose expertise is in mental illness. Thirdly, “How do you propose we treat this?” Schizophrenia almost always involves the prescription of anti-psychotic medications, so it’s important that you understand the possible risks and side effects of treatment. Lastly, “Are there support programs for family members?” Sometimes family members do more harm than good if they don’t learn more about living with a schizophrenic.

If you know anyone who exhibits the symptoms of schizophrenia, or if you are having some of these symptoms yourself, a visit to the doctor needs to be scheduled as soon as possible. This way the appropriate schizophrenia treatment can be started before the problem gets worse. Click here to learn more about schizophrenia disorder.