Paranoid Schizophrenia Symptoms
There are a number of paranoid schizophrenia symptoms, they change from person to person, but most sufferers of paranoid schizophrenia usually have the same or similar symptoms. Here is each symptom of paranoid schizophrenia explained with additional in-depth information provided by experts and researchers.
Auditory Hallucinations
Auditory hallucinations are simply when you hear something that isn’t there or your hearing is distorted. The most common auditory hallucination is hearing voices in your head, these aren’t always evil voices but they can be. There can one voice or many voices that may even talk to each other.
To a sufferer of paranoid schizophrenia these voices or sounds can seem extremely real, as if they weren’t hallucinations at all. This can make paranoid schizophrenics do very harmful or dangerous things to themselves or to others, because of the voices.
Delusions of Control
Delusions of control are when a paranoid schizophrenic believes that they are not in control or only partially in control of their life, they believe that they are being controlled by someone or something else.
For example, they might think that aliens or secret government services are controlling their minds and making them do things. This is another symptom that shows paranoia distinctly.
Delusions of Grandeur
Delusions of grandeur causes people to think they are in some way extremely important or famous, or connected to someone who is very important or famous. For example they may think that they are Jesus or the friend of a famous actor or celebrity, when in fact they are not.
Whilst this may not seem dangerous, it can cause the sufferer to be extremely obsessive. This is an extremely strong indicator that the sufferer is experiencing severe psychosis and is in the worst stage of schizophrenia.
Delusions of Persecution
Delusions of persecution are when a sufferer of paranoid schizophrenia believes that someone or something is trying to cause them harm in some way. This is when the paranoia from paranoid schizophrenia is most evident.
Delusions of persecution come in all shapes and sizes, commonly a sufferer might think their friend or co-worker is plotting/conspiring against them in some way. This can cause sufferers to be extremely mistrustful and suspicious.
Delusions of Reference
Delusions of reference are when a sufferer of paranoid schizophrenia believes they caused or were in some way directly connected to a major event, when in fact they had no involvement or control at all.
For instance, they might believe that a natural disaster that killed hundreds of people was their fault or possibly a signal/sign to do something such as kill someone. This is very similiar to, but shouldn’t be confused with delusions of grandeur.
Disorganized Speech
It is very common for someone suffering paranoid schizophrenia to have a peculiar way of talking. The most common examples of disorganized speech are:
- Topic Changes – quickly changing from topic to topic for no reason, the topic changes are often completely unconnected and irrational in their nature.
- Made Up Words – this is where the person uses completely made up words, that having a meaning or significance only to them.
- Repetition – this is when someone repeats the same word, phrase or sentence over and over again for no reason.
- Rhyming – often someone suffering from paranoid schizophrenia will use rhyming words together unnecessarily.
Social Withdrawal
Many sufferers of paranoid schizophrenia tend to be recluses from society, only going out of their home when absolutely necessary. Whilst this is a symptom of paranoid schizophrenia, there are ‘normal’ people who like to live that.
Therefore it is only a clear symptom in people who are normally socially active but then completely withdraw socially in a drastic fashion. Social withdrawal can mean not answering calls or messages from friends, making excuses constantly to avoid going out or stop making an effort to talk to friends or family.
Suicidal Thoughts
Suicidal thoughts are self explanatory, this is when someone believes that killing themselves is the only way to solve or escape their problems. If you are having suicidal thoughts then phone your local suicide helpline and get advice. If you know someone who has mentioned they have had suicidal thoughts, then you need to get them help immediately, before it is too late.
Positive and Negative Symptoms
All paranoid schizophrenia symptoms are either in one of two categories; positive or negative symptoms. Positives symptoms are aspects that are added onto your character, such as delusions or hallucinations, things you didn’t experience before you develop paranoid schizophrenia.
These symptoms are usually harmful in nature, and they do the most damage to the sufferer and people around them
Negative symptoms are when a characteristic decreases or becomes less apparent, for example someone who is very motivated may become lazy after developing paranoid schizophrenia. These symptoms are a lot more subtle than positive symptoms, they are usually very noticeable to someone who knows the sufferer well.
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