Know the Five Different Types of Schizophrenia
People with schizophrenia often experience psychotic symptoms like hallucinations, hearing voices that aren’t real and delusions. These altered perceptions of reality can interfere with the ability to function daily and carry on healthy, rewarding relationships in life. When trying to understand schizophrenia, it’s important to know that it’s not a “one-size-fits-all” condition. There are five distinct types of schizophrenia, which affect an estimated 24 million people in the world. Each subset has its own set of symptoms and optimal treatments.
The 5 schizophrenia types are:
- Paranoid schizophrenia
- Undifferentiated schizophrenia
- Hebephrenic schizophrenia
- Catatonic schizophrenia
- Residual schizophrenia
1. Paranoid sub-types of schizophrenia:
In the schizophrenia paranoid type, the overall behavior and temperament depend on the nature of the thoughts. These indications are generally understood by professionals when extra stress triggers the symptoms. It is accurate in such situations that the patient might realize the requirement for help. They may take such steps that might attract attention. However, as the features are barely visible, it becomes important for the patient to discuss their thought reflections openly.
2. Disorganized Sub-types of schizophrenia :
As evident from its very name, this type of schizophrenia is marked by disorganized thought patterns, with less delusion and hallucination difficulties. The ability to function in regular living might get seriously impaired and might include trouble in performing routine activities such as brushing, bathing, etc. This is one of those subtypes of schizophrenia where emotional instability may be observed. For instance, the patient’s emotions may fluctuate greatly or might be unreasonable in a given circumstance, with unordinary responses of emotions. The patient is unusually giddy or jocular, like one who chuckles at a solemn occasion like a funeral. The communication ability might get impaired, with practically incomprehensible speech, owing to disorganized thought patterns. It is important to look out for speech that is marked with difficulties in forming sentences with correct word ordering rather than difficulties arising from articulation or enunciation. ‘Hebephrenic’ was the term used in the past for this subtype.
3. Catatonic Sub-types of schizophrenia:
Here the schizophrenia type’s symptoms that are predominant are movement imbalances. It may be catatonic excitement, (hyperactivity), or catatonic stupor, (reduction in performance of activity).
Other movement imbalances could include what is termed as ordinary. This is doing the same task repetitively, generally resulting from not having anything productive to do. Immobility or resistance to change in appearance may be noticed. The patient may stay immovable, preferring to stay in the same poise as placed in by another person, for a prolonged time, (waxy flexibility). Often, even if they are in what appears to be an uncomfortable position, they might show extreme resistance to another person’s attempt to help with repositioning. The patient may voluntarily resort to unusual limb movements facial expressions or body positions. Thus the disease may be confused with tardive dyskinesia, It may also be confused with Tourette’s Syndrome as the patient may start parrot-like repeating of what is heard (echolalia) or mimicking other’s body movements.
4. Undifferentiated Sub-types of schizophrenia:
Of all the schizophrenia sub-types this is the one that does not fall into the category of either and is diagnosed when a schizophrenic patient does not exhibit symptoms resembling any of the other types of schizophrenia. In this schizophrenia type, the patient’s symptoms may fluctuate or might stay excessively stable, causing doubt in placing it under any other sub-type. The best schizophrenia type’s definition for this type of schizophrenia is ‘mixed clinical condition.
5. Residual Sub-types of schizophrenia:
Here the symptoms have become less severe, and though idiosyncratic behaviors, delusions, or hallucinations, may still present, they appear less prominent than they were in the worst days of the illness.
Just like varying types of schizophrenia, the ramifications are highly varying too. Different impairments affect different people to different degrees. While some need custodial care, others may have a fairly normal career and family life. A better outcome is noticed when the patients, especially women, have had a higher functioning capacity before illness, or when the severest episodes were brief and were followed with the patient returning to normal. In all types of schizophrenia, it has been noticed that those with normal brain structures recover better.
On the other hand, a weaker prognosis is marked by sinister and gradual onsets, starting from adolescence or childhood. They cause abnormalities in the brain structure which can be revealed by imaging studies often causing.
Rehabilitation for Schizophrenia in Pune
Schizophrenia is a complex and chronic mental health disorder usually characterized by a range of cognitive, behavioral, and cognitive disturbances. a person with schizophrenia often experiences disturbance in thought processes and emotions, a philosophical impact on their ability to be objective in daily life. It often requires rehabilitation to boost functional abilities and social incorporation for a person struggling with schizophrenia. Rehabilitation programs focus on improving cognitive skills, increasing independence, and providing support.
At Livwell Happier Mind, we offer a rehabilitation center for schizophrenia in Hinjwadi Pune, assisted by a Dr Pratibha Bezwada Best psychiatrist in pune of the experienced professionals in the field, to provide holistic treatment and support to those struggling with schizophrenia.