There are a variety of different types of schizophrenia. While the different types of schizophrenia may share some symptoms in common, they have unique indicators that separate them from the rest. If you are diagnosed with schizophrenia, you should make sure you understand what type of schizophrenia you have, as this will make treating the symptoms of the disease easier and more effective. Here are the different types of schizophrenia:
Paranoid Schizophrenia
Paranoid schizophrenia is the most common type of schizophrenia, and the symptoms of paranoid schizophrenia are how the disease is usually presented in movies and television. Paranoid schizophrenia consists of rampant auditory hallucinations that center around delusions that some third party is conspiring to hurt or persecute you. These means that you will constantly feel like someone is chasing you or trying to capture you, resulting in a life of stress and emotional turmoil. Paranoid schizophrenia can become present late in life, sometimes triggered by a traumatic or stressful event.
Disorganized Schizophrenia
If you are diagnosed with disorganized schizophrenia, it is likely that you are often confused. Disorganized schizophrenia makes it difficult to think logically, resulting in speaking patterns and thought processes that quickly jump from one topic to another. This disorganized way of thinking and speaking can make it difficult to maintain a conversation and interpersonal relationships. Another symptom of disorganized schizophrenia is acting out of place with social norms and situations, such as wearing winter clothes on a warm summer day.
Catatonic Schizophrenia
Catatonic schizophrenia results in you oscillating between a catatonic stupor and catatonic excitement. A catatonic stupor will lead to a huge drop in activity, possibly restricting any and all movement. This can lead to you staying in the same position and not moving at all for a very long period of time. Catatonic excitement is a state of hyperactive and repetitive activity and actions. You will perform purposeless actions over and over again, making movements without any reason. You may also find yourself mimicking the words or actions of another person.
Residual Schizophrenia
Residual schizophrenia occurs when you had severe symptoms of the disease in the past, but over time the severity of the symptoms have lessened. You still suffer from symptoms, but they appear less frequently and have less of a drastic impact on your everyday life.
Schizoaffective Disorder
Schizoaffective disorder is a mix of schizophrenia and either depression or bipolar disorder. The wide variety of symptoms that occur with schizoaffective disorder can make it very difficult to diagnose, as you will show traditional symptoms of depression, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia.
Undifferentiated Schizophrenia
If you have a variety of symptoms of schizophrenia but they do not fall into one of the 5 other types of schizophrenia, you will be diagnosed with undifferentiated schizophrenia.
Schizophrenia Treatment Research Studies in San Diego
Synergy Research Centers is currently running schizophrenia treatment research studies, testing new treatments for the disease. No matter what type of schizophrenia you exhibit, a treatment study at Synergy Research Centers in San Diego may be able to help. If you have any questions or would like to join a research study, contact us today. Give us a call at (888) 619-7272.