Schizophrenia is a chronic mental disorder that affects thinking, perception, emotions and behavior abilities. It is still not known precisely what the specific causes of schizophrenia are, but studies show that schizophrenia has a strong genetic component that can be exacerbated by external factors such as obstetric and perinatal complications, head trauma, very stressful situations or illicit consumption. of drugs.
Symptoms of schizophrenia can occur between the ages of 16 and 30. We still do not have an effective method to prevent this disorder, but evidence shows that early and timely treatment can improve the results and quality of life of the patient and their family in the long term.
In this short article we will present five symptoms that can alert you to the possible diagnosis of schizophrenia.
Poor hygiene
The deterioration is evident in the personal hygiene of people with schizophrenia and depression. The person suffering from these disorders may slowly stop taking care of their personal appearance, changing their clothes, and brushing their teeth. Problems with hygiene can be due to the apathy and emotional flattening that also occurs in schizophrenia, but it can also be a product of social isolation and in some cases people with schizophrenia may not even be aware of hygiene problems and their appearance.
Excessive concern for religion and supernatural events
One published just four years ago reveals that there is a strong connection between excessive preoccupation with religious issues, supernatural events and schizophrenia. The study concludes that even this excessive worry can influence the level of psychopathology. In the early stages of the disease, the person may exhibit delusions in which they claim to be persecuted by evil spirits or mystical beings. They may also believe that they have magical powers or be very concerned about the supernatural forces that rule the world. These symptoms arise due to paranoia and the increasing disconnection that people with schizophrenia have with reality.
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Social disconnection
People at risk of developing schizophrenia disorder often disconnect from their friends and spend a lot of time alone. This isolation can affect your daily routine and work performance. Usually people with early symptoms of schizophrenia begin to feel indifferent to topics, hobbies and passions that previously interested them.
auditory hallucinations
Auditory hallucinations are the most common in patients with schizophrenia (). This type of hallucinations can cause loss of concentration and memory problems. A symptom related to auditory hallucinations and that is also common, but not specific to schizophrenia, is “thought insertion”, which is defined as a sensation in which the person’s own thoughts are not the person’s own and that they are being “inserted” from other places.
Uncontrolled movements
Psychiatrists and clinical psychologists have observed that people in the early stages of schizophrenia exhibit certain involuntary movements and expressions such as: twitching at the corners of the mouth and infrequent blinking. Other physical manifestations include decreased motor skills, constant pacing, and shaking of the extremities that resembles a tremor.
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