Everyone knows the unwritten truth - the earlier a disease is diagnosed, the easier it is to treat. And schizophrenia is no exception. The only problem is that early stages It is very difficult to recognize schizophrenia, and only relatives of the sick person can do this, and only on the condition that they know what the early signs of this disease are.

What is schizophrenia?

Schizophrenia is not one disease, but a group of different mental disorders that manifest differently in each person. People often call the disease “splitting of the soul,” and indeed, the sick person turns into a completely different person, which neither friends nor relatives recognize. But such changes occur already in severe cases; in the early stages, a person’s behavior and thinking changes slightly, but still causes bewilderment among those who know him.

Unfortunately, today doctors and scientists cannot say for sure what is the cause of this disease. However, this does not mean that effective treatment impossible. One of the leading clinics for the treatment of schizophrenia in Moscow is Mental Health - the clinic has its own hospital and research laboratory. Also, the Alliance Center for Medical Care, the Preobrazhenie Clinic, and the Rosa Clinic are involved in the treatment of this disease.

Forms and symptoms: how to recognize schizophrenia?

How can we recognize schizophrenia among loved ones and thereby help a suffering person? You should know the main symptoms of schizophrenia and then, noticing changes in behavior loved one or a close friend, you will be able to seek help in time.

So, the main signs of schizophrenia depend on its form. Paranoid schizophrenia is characterized by the occurrence of delusional states. A person who has fallen ill with this form of the disease is extremely suspicious, believes that there are enemies around him, and often sees hallucinations.

The depressive-paranoid form includes the previous symptoms and is supplemented depressed state consciousness. The patient is consumed by anxiety and a premonition of imminent disaster.

Circulatory schizophrenia causes an increased sense of superiority, talkativeness and agitation. Such people think that they are better than others and that everyone around them is jealous of them. But the signs of catatonic schizophrenia are complete apathy and inaction of a person who can remain in one position for hours or, conversely, inappropriate behavior(he can scream, sing, laugh for no reason).

The first "bells"

The above-described symptoms of schizophrenia become noticeable when the disease enters the active stage. However, schizophrenia may remain asymptomatic for many years. More precisely, almost asymptomatically - loved ones notice that something is wrong with the person.

In particular, the first sign of illness is severe headaches, panic fears, frequent change moods, increased anxiety and aggressiveness, directed first at loved ones and then at other people.

Relatives of the sick note that the person withdraws into himself, becomes uncommunicative, thoughtful and at the same time very often goes into conflicts, although this has not been observed in him before. At first these symptoms are temporary, but over time, moments of normal behavior become extremely rare.

The main symptom of the disease is a change in perception of reality. If your loved one begins to “talk about nonsense”, and at the same time is sure that this is how things really are, this is a reason to immediately consult a doctor. At the same time, a private psychiatric clinic - best choice, since in this case you are guaranteed confidentiality, professional diagnosis and competent treatment.

How to behave with a patient with schizophrenia?

Any doctor will tell you that noticing signs of schizophrenia in loved one, you should never laugh at him or convince him that he is wrong - this can provoke aggression and inappropriate behavior. You need to listen to him and reassure him if possible, and then consult a doctor. The psychiatric clinic has necessary conditions and medications in order to stop an attack of schizophrenia and help the patient come to his senses.

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How does schizophrenia manifest, symptoms of schizophrenia

Schizophrenia is complex disease, in which it is difficult for a person to distinguish between what is real and unreal, to think clearly, to manage emotions, to treat others objectively, and it is actually impossible to live normally. But this does not mean that there is no hope with this disorder. Schizophrenia can be successfully managed. The first step is to identify the signs and symptoms. The second step is to seek help immediately, the third is to strictly adhere to treatment. At proper treatment and support, a person with schizophrenia is able to lead a happy, almost fulfilling life.

Usually schizophrenia changes inner world and human behavior. Changes in behavior may include the following:

1. Social self-isolation;
2. Depersonalization (a feeling of unreality, being in a foggy and fairy-tale state), sometimes accompanied by intense anxiety;
3. Loss of appetite;
4. Loss of hygiene;
5. Misconceptions;
6. Hallucinations (auditory or visual, feeling that something does not exist);
7. Feelings are controlled by external forces;
8. Disorganized speech.

At times, a person with schizophrenia may not appear to be ill; at other times, the illness may be more obvious, particularly due to eccentric behavior. For example, the symptoms of schizophrenia in adults are quite obvious if a person wraps his head with foil in the hope that aluminum will protect thoughts from some harmful waves that are transmitted to his brain.

Schizophrenia: symptoms

Positive symptoms in the patient’s behavior may appear and disappear. You need an accurate understanding of what to expect from a schizophrenic in order to take timely action. People who have the disease overt schizophrenia have very different symptoms, since patients differ from each other in their behavior, but by and large, they all cannot control the disease. IN active stage, the victim unleashes a stream of illogical sentences on others or reacts with uncontrollable anger and violence to a perceived threat. Patients may also experience relatively passive phases of the disease, in which they seem to lack personality, movement, and emotions (so-called flat affect). People with schizophrenia may alternate between these extremes. Their behavior is sometimes predictable, sometimes absolutely sporadic.

Clustering of schizophrenia symptoms

• Negative symptoms in schizophrenia (or deficit symptoms): Social self-isolation, difficulty in expressing emotions (in extreme cases so-called blunted affect), difficulties in self-care, inability to experience pleasure. These symptoms are caused by serious mental disorders and are often mistaken for laziness.
• Cognitive symptoms: Difficulty attending and processing information, understanding environment and remembering simple tasks.

Fragmentation of thinking is characteristic of this mental disorder. When medical students are taught how to identify schizophrenia, they are always advised to observe the way the person speaks. Patients typically have trouble concentrating and maintaining thoughts. They may respond to queries with an unrelated answer, start sentences on one topic and end somewhere completely different, speak incoherently, or say illogical things. General signs disorganized speech in schizophrenia includes free associations, rapid transition from topic to topic, without connecting a single thought between several. Neologisms are ready-made words or phrases that only have meaning for the patient. Perseveration - repetition of words and statements; saying the same thing over and over again. Meaningless use of rhyme.

Helpful Definitions in Understanding Schizophrenia

Psychosis: Psychosis is defined as a feeling of being disconnected from reality. During this phase, one may experience delusions or severe hallucinations. People with psychosis do not know that what they experience or some of the things they think are happening are not actually real. Psychosis is a prominent feature of schizophrenia, but is not a condition unique to the disease.

Schizoid Personality Disorder: This term is often used to describe a personality disorder that is characterized by an almost complete lack of interest in social relations and a limited range of emotional expression in interpersonal settings, which makes a person with this disorder cold and uncaring.

Schizotypal disorder: This term defines a personality disorder that is characterized by acute discomfort in relationships, as well as disturbances in perception, odd beliefs, and fancy shapes behavior. Often people with schizotypal personality disorder are seen as unusual and eccentric due to their unusual mannerisms and beliefs, and these are not uncommon symptoms of schizophrenia in women.

Hallucinations: Patients may experience too much objects or events that are actually real only to them. Symptoms of schizophrenia in men who have fought may include experiences of events that are only real to them. Hallucinations may also involve visual images, hearing, smell, taste or touch. Have no hallucinations external source, and are sometimes described as "brain tricks" human tricks. Research shows that auditory hallucinations occur when people misinterpret their internal self-talk as coming from an external source.

Illusion: An illusion is a false perception for which there is an actual external stimulus. For example, visual deception after seeing a shadow and misinterpreting it as a person. The words illusion and hallucination are sometimes confused with each other. Similar types of schizophrenia, but the symptoms are still different.

Delusion: A person with delusion has a strong belief about something, despite evidence that this belief is completely false. For example, a person may listen to the radio and believe that the radio is giving a coded message about an impending alien invasion. All other people who listen to the same radio program will hear, for example, an essay about road repair work taking place in the Moscow region.

Conditions that may look like schizophrenia

Medical and psychological conditions that a doctor must rule out before making a diagnosis of schizophrenia include:

Other psychotic disorders - schizophrenia, if you look at its symptoms on any video, is one of the types psychotic disorder, that is, it implies a significant loss of contact with reality. But there are other psychotic disorders that cause similar symptoms of psychosis, including schizoaffective disorder, schizophreniform disorder, and brief psychotic disorder. Due to difficulties in differentiating between psychotic disorders, final diagnosis may take six months or longer.

Abuse psychoactive substances — psychotic symptoms can be caused by many drugs, including alcohol, PCP, heroin, amphetamines and cocaine. If you want to know how schizophrenia and its symptoms begin, go on a tour to any specialized dispensary where people who use these substances that kill personality and health are observed. But some prescription drugs can also cause unwanted psychotic reactions. A toxicology screen can rule out drug-induced psychosis. If there is an understanding of the patient's substance abuse, the doctor will determine whether the drug is the source of the symptoms or simply an aggravating factor.

Medical conditions - Schizophrenia, its symptoms can also be the result of certain neurological disorders(eg, epilepsy, brain tumors, and encephalitis), endocrine and metabolic disorders and autoimmune conditions that negatively affect the central nervous system.

Mood disorders - look like the initial stage of schizophrenia, as well as its symptoms. The illness often includes changes in mood, including mania and depression. Although these mood changes are typically less severe than those caused by bipolar disorder and major depressive disorder. Schizophrenia is particularly difficult to distinguish from bipolar disorder. Positive symptoms schizophrenia (delusions, hallucinations and disorganized speech) may look like a manic episode of bipolar disorder, while negative symptoms schizophrenia (apathy, social withdrawal, and low energy) may look like a depressive episode.

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) - PTSD is anxiety disorder, which can develop after exposure to a traumatic event, such as combat, accidents, or violent acts - there are known cases where schizophrenia manifests itself in women after violence. People with PTSD, their images, sensations of smells and sounds, memories, are sometimes similar to schizophrenics with their hallucinations, however, these are completely different states.

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How can you recognize a schizophrenic (schizophrenia)?

Understanding how to recognize a schizophrenic among others is very important. And not at all in order to avoid this person or make fun of him. Schizophrenia is a mental disorder that can greatly change consciousness and even force a person to take actions that are unusual for him, sometimes life-threatening. Having determined that someone has symptoms of schizophrenia, you can promptly provide them with qualified diagnosis, observation by a psychologist, or medical care.

To determine whether a person is schizophrenic, you need to know how schizophrenia manifests itself. But there is one nuance here. Most of the symptoms of this disease are significantly enhanced behaviors of healthy people. After all, every person has anxiety or aggression. In a healthy person, these types of behavior are normal. In a schizophrenic, they either go beyond the norm, that is, they are of a pathological nature, or they manifest themselves inadequately, not corresponding to the situation.

It is important to understand that schizophrenia is a diagnosis, not a definition strange people. Therefore, in no case should you take responsibility by calling a person schizophrenic. Only a doctor can determine this. A person incompetent in this matter can only assume the presence of a disease and recommend visiting a specialist.

To know how a person suffering from schizophrenia differs from healthy people, it is necessary to determine the main signs of schizophrenia in adults and children. Because accurate diagnosis it cannot be diagnosed during visual contact with a person; attention should be paid to the most striking manifestations of the disease.

Main manifestations of schizophrenia

One of the main manifestations of schizophrenia is the presence of hallucinations in a person. They can be not only visual, but also auditory. Moreover, the second option is much more common. Patients often hear voices or dialogues in their heads. Usually they are illogical and can push a person to commit rash and non-standard actions.

When such a symptom appears, schizophrenics are usually unaware of the true nature of these voices. They believe that aliens or deities are talking to them, for example. They are confident in the correctness of all those actions that are imposed on them, even if it is jumping from a roof, etc.

Hallucinations in schizophrenia may also be accompanied by absurd and confused thoughts, called delusions. It represents the presence of illogical statements in which the schizophrenic sees clearly formulated thoughts. Sometimes such delusions can be of a paranoid nature. In this case, the patient feels that he is being persecuted, that they want to kill him or take him to some world he himself has imagined.

Another version of delusion may be exalting oneself or someone from the environment. A schizophrenic may enthusiastically talk about how he is a messenger who will save the world, or a secret agent from another planet. All these stories will be intrusive, and if people around them reveal a lack of trust in these ideas, the patient may show strong aggression.

In addition, delusion can manifest itself in the form of jealousy. Having this symptom, a schizophrenic will be pathologically jealous of his partner. He will confidently talk about his significant other’s love affairs with a neighbor, a janitor, a salesman at a nearby store, etc. It is often impossible to convince such a person otherwise.

A symptom of schizophrenia can also be the identification of a hyper-significant personality by a person suffering from this disease. She may not only be a family member or acquaintance. It could be stranger, whom the schizophrenic will consider his master, mentor. He will be ready to unquestioningly carry out his instructions, believing in their righteousness. Because of this, the patient can become very vulnerable and fall under the influence of others.

All these symptoms characterize the most complex and profound form of the disease. Their manifestation may indicate a high percentage of probability of a person having the disease. But there are other types of schizophrenia, which differ in other signs and symptoms. They usually appear less intensely. Thus, in the first stage of schizophrenia, patients are often characterized by inappropriate behavior without visible disorders of consciousness.

Peculiarities of behavior of schizophrenics

To the main behavioral features of people suffering mild form schizophrenia include the following:

apathy towards people around you and work activity;

isolation and reluctance to communicate;

sudden and unreasonable outbursts of aggression;

catatonia.

This list is far from complete, since schizophrenia has many more behavioral changes. However, many of them border so much on the norm that it is impossible to identify pathological character almost impossible.

One of the most striking manifestations of schizophrenia is apathy. It can affect absolutely all areas of a person’s life. A person may become indifferent to communicating with other people, lose interest in activities that he was previously passionate about, and give up work or study. At the same time, a person does not feel the need to communicate with the outside world, he withdraws into himself and is ready to be completely alone for days. This state seems comfortable to him.

Vivid signs of schizophrenia

Aggression may also be a sign of schizophrenia. Moreover, it is usually spontaneous and does not depend in any way on the situation in which the patient is. Such aggression is not controlled by a schizophrenic. In this state, he can easily harm both himself and others.

Subsequently, he may not even remember what happened to him. In order to somehow explain these actions to themselves, schizophrenics give them a defensive character. They believe that this is the only way they can protect themselves from external threats. Moreover, these threats can sometimes be absurd. The patient may believe that some object or even color is causing him harm. He will avoid him in every possible way and be afraid of meeting him, considering it a mortal threat.

The catatonic state as a manifestation of schizophrenia is movement disorder. It may be characterized by continuous movements that may develop into obsessive-compulsive disorder. Having this symptom, the patient constantly makes some movements, which are often meaningless. He may walk in circles around the room, fingering beads, or washing his hands.

Another option is catatonic stupor. In this case, the schizophrenic freezes in some position, which can be completely uncomfortable and unnatural. The patient can remain in this position for several hours without responding to calls to him. Of course, this condition can also be a consequence of stress, but if it is systematic, then we can speak with great confidence about the presence of schizophrenia. This symptom answers the question of how to recognize schizophrenia.

All these manifestations and symptoms enable anyone to understand how to recognize a schizophrenic among healthy people. However, they are not the last resort for making a diagnosis. They can only indicate the presence of a mental illness, including schizophrenia, and become a prerequisite for visiting a psychiatrist or psychologist.

At the first manifestation of these symptoms in a loved one, you should immediately consult a doctor for advice.

It is impossible to delay with this issue, since you can aggravate the condition when the first stage of schizophrenia develops into an incurable pathology.

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How to identify schizophrenia by behavior

Modern methods of therapy make it possible to stop the manifestations of schizophrenia for a long time

Schizophrenia is a real scourge of our time. It creeps up on a person unnoticed and distorts his reality. Unfortunately, this disease still has no cure, but it can be kept under control. True, for this you need to recognize it in time!

Of course, only specialists can diagnose such a serious mental illness. But you can take a quick test to know you have nothing to worry about!

What is schizophrenia

Schizophrenia has many forms and variations. But the main sign of this complex mental disorder is that a person’s idea of ​​reality and his own personality completely changes

The whole difficulty of diagnosing schizophrenia lies in the fact that few people are able to adequately assess their mental state. A true schizophrenic is absolutely sure that he is healthy. Moreover, he is convinced of his exclusivity and special great mission on Earth

This is how it turns out that many people simply do not reach specialists. Of course, they suspect that something is wrong with them, but they attribute their “strange” state to stress, fatigue, or some other external reasons. A insidious disease meanwhile progresses and completely changes their lives.

Not every psychiatrist can correctly diagnose schizophrenia. What can we say about ordinary people? Therefore, having noticed danger signs yourself or your friends, it is best not to panic, but to seek advice from good specialists.

How does schizophrenia begin?

Nothing is really known about the causes of schizophrenia. Psychiatrists say that most often genetics, coupled with stress, are to blame.

Typically, the first signs of schizophrenia appear between 18 and 35 years of age. But this mental illness can occur in absolutely any person at any time in his life. In the case of childhood schizophrenia, behavioral oddities are often attributed to awkward age or character traits.

The initial signs of schizophrenia are difficult to notice. But most often the following happens.

The person withdraws into himself and avoids communicating with people. He does not make contact well and loses interest in everything that previously brought him joy.

All physical sensations become dull: such people may not notice hunger, and also forget to wash and change clothes on time.

A person may show inappropriate emotions: for example, the most innocent question causes irritation and aggression in him.

Important: this behavior is not unique to people with schizophrenia. This can be the behavior of a child who has experienced psychological trauma, a rebellious teenager, or an adult during depression.

Therefore, if you notice the above signs in someone, you should not immediately suspect schizophrenia. Such behavior only indicates that something is happening in a person’s soul. Perhaps you should talk to him and convince him to see a psychologist to get rid of stress and trauma.

True schizophrenia is manifested not only by these signs. When making a diagnosis, psychiatrists also pay attention to two types of clinical symptoms: major and minor.

How to recognize a schizophrenic: rapid test

This special rapid test will help you independently assess your risk of developing schizophrenia. Just remember that its results are just a reason to think about your mental health and turn to a professional!

So, to make a preliminary diagnosis, carefully review this list of schizophrenia symptoms and mentally check the box where you agree with the description.

Symptoms of a large circle

Hallucinations (voice, less often visual). A person can both understand that he only imagines the voices in his head, and also believe that he is talking to an invisible interlocutor. The main danger is that the VOICE can not only tell something, but also give directive instructions. For example, ordering someone to be harmed.

Echo of thoughts. This special feeling that one's own thoughts are repeated or echoed (but not spoken out loud) at short intervals. In addition, a person can feel the “OPENNESS” of thoughts. In this case, it seems to him that those around him can know everything he is thinking about. Sometimes the patient believes that those around him deliberately control his thoughts: they erase them from memory or, conversely, put their own into his head.

Delirium of influence. A person is convinced that someone or something is CONTROLLING him. He can tell others that he was hypnotized, programmed, or specially exposed to some kind of rays.

Crazy ideas. The schizophrenic sincerely believes in his great MISSION. He must uncover a Masonic conspiracy, save the world from aliens, decipher messages from unknown civilizations, invent a time machine, and so on. Often a schizophrenic comes to the conclusion that everyone around him does not understand anything; he alone sees the TRUTH.

Small circle symptoms

Strange speech structures. A person is trying to explain something very important to him, but completely INCOMPREHENSIVE to others, since there is no logical connection between the phrases. Sometimes words are used that he himself invented, something like: “Varkalos. The flimsy little shorts were darting across the nave...”

Slow reaction. A person stops reacting to others and can sit for a long time and look at one point. In some cases, he falls into a STUPOR to the point of complete immobility.

Persistent illusions. They arise when the patient’s brain completes its own REALITY. For example, a schizophrenic may feel that people on the streets periodically grow horns or that his things come to life at night.

Negative symptoms. They are called so because a person gradually LOSSES skills: he becomes less emotional, loses interest in work, practically does not communicate with people, etc.

Express test result: on POSSIBLE schizophrenia indicates the presence of AT LEAST one big symptom in combination with two small ones.

In any case, the presence of any of these signs is a clear reason to go to a psychiatrist to figure out what exactly is going on.

How to deal with a schizophrenic

Having discovered a schizophrenic next to you, it is important to remember that some forms of this disease lead to exacerbations. At this time, the symptoms of the disease manifest themselves especially strongly, and the person himself seems to fall out of reality.

Since the patient does not understand what he is doing, it is impossible to predict his behavior. In the worst case scenario, a schizophrenic person may show aggression, which can be directed both at other people and at themselves.

What to do in this case? Call an ambulance psychiatric care! In the meantime, the doctors are on their way to try to establish trusting contact and reassure the patient.

Under no circumstances should you prove to a schizophrenic that everything in reality is not at all what he thinks. Not only will he not believe you, but he will also count you among his enemies. Do you need it? Better try to play along with the person. For example, if he believes that he has invented a time machine, ask him to be sure to take you with him when he goes back in time, since you have a lot of unfinished business there.…

It also happens that a person is perfectly aware of reality, but at the same time periodically demonstrates certain symptoms of schizophrenia. Try to persuade him (for his own peace of mind!) to undergo an examination by a psychiatrist. This is difficult, but extremely necessary. If the patient refuses to go to the doctor, do everything possible to start his treatment: invite specialists to his home, go to private clinics, motivate him with anything

Modern methods of therapy make it possible to stop the manifestations of schizophrenia for a long time. Therefore, do not hesitate to contact professionals in a timely manner!

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If you're looking for a test that can instantly detect schizophrenia, check out this amazing optical illusion. Test "Chaplin's Mask" was first proposed and described by British psychologist and professor of neuropsychology Richard Gregory in scientific work"Meaning and illusions of perception." By examining the difference between the perceptions of schizophrenics and healthy people, this neuropsychologist came to the conclusion that human perception is directly dependent on thinking processes based on past experience.

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The more knowledge a person has about a perceived situation, the less often he or she needs to process new information. If a person is mentally healthy, his past experience begins to play a leading role in perception.

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As is known, schizophrenia is accompanied by impaired cognitive processes, as a result of which patients suffering from schizophrenia are not susceptible to various visual illusions. Therefore, observing optical illusions helps to find out how adequately a person perceives the world around him.

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Instructions

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Take a close look at this rotating mask. How do you see her? Do you notice any strange things? Remember how you felt while watching.

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Interpretation

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So congratulations, you've just passed the test for schizophrenia!

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This test is interesting because in this case, distortion of reality and self-deception are signs of a healthy psyche. If Chaplin's mask seemed strange to you (convex on both sides), then you can be completely calm, you are absolutely mentally healthy person!

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We initially see Charlie Chaplin's face on outside masks. However, when the mask begins to rotate, our visual system doesn't want to perceive inner part masks are like a “hollow” face because the brain normal person misperceives shadows and light on the concave side of the mask. Downward flow of information(our idea of ​​what shape a face should have) is in dissonance with rising(sensory signal). Descending knowledge always has an advantage in a mentally healthy person, so a face that is actually convex seems concave to us, and vice versa.

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So it turns out that A healthy person taking this test sees a strange face, convex on both sides.

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The brain of a schizophrenic cannot be deceived by an optical illusion— for him the mask always remains concave. The reason why schizophrenics do not perceive optical illusions has not yet been fully elucidated. There is a hypothesis that this is due to in a special way processing of visual information and recognition of visual images.

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Therefore, if you just can’t see the pink convex mask rotating in reverse side, please consult a specialist.

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In any case, do not panic - it has been proven that this optical illusion also does not affect people who are under the influence of alcohol and drugs, as well as on persons in a state of severe stress.

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However, we should not forget that the diagnosis of this serious mental illness should not be limited to just one mask. To make an accurate diagnosis for a person who suspects he has schizophrenia, you need to see a psychiatrist as soon as possible.

Same test - different mask (“control shot”):

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Have you seen both sides of the mask convex?

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Schizophrenia is one of the most common mental illness. The characteristic features of this pathology are a combination of productive and negative types of mental symptoms, as well as a combination of behavioral and cognitive disorders. The prognosis of the disease is usually unfavorable. According to epidemiological studies, the prevalence of this disease in the human population is in the range of 0.8-1%.

Characteristic features of the disease

In order to be highly likely to have schizophrenia in a person, they must have at least one clearly present symptom from the following list:

• the so-called “echo of thoughts,” “taking away” or “investing” thoughts, broadcasting thoughts (openness);
• delusions of influence, influence, related to movements of limbs or other parts of the body, actions, thoughts or sensations, delusional perception of the environment;
• hallucinations in the form of voices discussing and commenting on the patient’s behavior; other types of hallucinatory voices are also taken into account, regardless of the source (emanating from any part of the body);
• persistent delusional ideas of any other kind that are not adequate for a given social culture and do not have a rational explanation for their content.

The patient must have at least two symptoms from the list below. Moreover, the symptoms must persist for at least a month:

• constant hallucinations relating to any area, accompanied by delusional ideas that are not fully formed, unstable, and do not have a clear emotional coloring;
• interruption of the thought process due to mixed thoughts, which lead to fragmentation or diversity of speech, neologisms;
• catatonic disorders: undifferentiated stereotypical excitations, impulsive acts, rigidity or waxy flexibility, negativism, stupor, exaggerated mannerisms;
• negative symptoms: pronounced apathy, appearance of poor speech, pallor, flatness or inadequacy emotional reactions- features leading to isolation, lack of intelligence - provided that these signs are not caused by depression or drug effects;
• significant changes in behavior, manifested by loss of interests, lack of focus and inactivity.

It should be borne in mind that the sudden onset of schizophrenia is not typical. Before the formation of symptoms, there is a period of prodromal phenomena (precursor symptoms), the duration of which in most cases lasts at least five years. During this period of time, features such as mild cognitive impairment, changes in motor skills, isolated perceptual disturbances, episodes of loss of interest in work, and social activities, episodes of ignoring hygiene habits. These signs in some cases can be mistaken for fatigue and absent-mindedness. Recognize pathological changes Systematic observation of a person and communication with him help.

Testing

To identify those predisposed to this disease A number of testing systems have been developed to diagnose people and establish a correct diagnosis. Such tests are primarily recommended by experts to be carried out by individuals, relatives, especially parents, who are prone to neurotic disorders or other anomalies that could be interpreted as prodromal phenomena of schizophrenia, symptoms of this disease.

It is not possible to make a diagnosis based on the test results. Diagnostic systems only make it possible to identify the presence of a predisposition to the formation of a disorder and understand whether the person being studied belongs to a risk group.

Eye test

Diagnosticians claim that the result this survey is 97-98% reliable, allows you to test a person for schizophrenia and catch the disease in the early stages. The study takes into account the following features of the oculomotor system of patients with schizophrenia:

• the patient’s inability to focus his gaze on a stationary object for a certain time;
• It is very difficult for a patient with schizophrenia to keep their eyes focused on an object that is moving at a slow speed.

A disorder in the oculomotor area, which makes it possible to diagnose the disease using this test, is associated with the following features:

• in schizophrenia, a disorder occurs in the conduction of nerve pathways between the hemispheres of the brain;
• the correct interaction between peripheral receptors and the cerebral subcortex is disrupted: in this case, a violation of the interaction between the nerve endings on the retina and the visual centers.

During the diagnosis, warning symptoms are the inability to track a moving object for a long time, when tracking a moving object eyeballs will lag behind the subject.

Due to its high information content, the eye test attracts a lot of attention from specialists and is still being improved.

Test drawings

Another technique that allows us to assume the presence of a disease is a test pattern. Impaired color perception in schizophrenic patients is of diagnostic significance. They are capable of confusing colors and shades, so the objects in the picture will typically have an unnatural color: the Sun is green or purple, the trees are red, the sky is yellow, and so on.

Rorschach test

The Rorschach test, which is included in the list, is also valued by experts diagnostic procedures. The patient is offered to review ten cards with images in the form of color and black and white blots. He must, slowly, carefully examine the images one by one and tell what, in his opinion, they look like. By analyzing the patient's answers, the specialist draws conclusions about the patient's state of mind.

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It must be remembered that these signs mental disorders may occur in incomplete form in other mental pathologies. Or, on the contrary, in some forms of schizophrenia, there are no deceptions of perception and delusional symptoms, and only apatho-abulic syndrome is expressed - weakness of will and impoverishment of emotions. Therefore, only a psychiatrist can make a correct diagnosis during a face-to-face appointment. And in the case of schizophrenia, it is necessary long-term follow-up in a psychiatric hospital.

How does schizophrenia manifest?

At the beginning, middle and end of its development, schizophrenia manifests itself in different ways. Depending on the form, the disease can begin in different ways. Paranoid and catatonic schizophrenia may manifest as a manifesto of acute psychotic disorder at a fairly young age. The simple form has a gradual course and often complete absence delusional symptoms and hallucinations.

The person gradually withdraws into himself, losing social contacts.

Subject to availability crazy ideas By the middle of the illness, the delirium is systematized - the picture links the images with a certain logic that is understandable to the patient. By the end of the disease, when there is practically no criticism of the condition and there are signs of personality degradation, the delusion becomes broken, i.e. unsystematized. The complexity of delusional content is simplified, hallucinations lose their brightness and direction. Lack of interest in the external world leads to impoverishment of the internal world.

The progression of any type of schizophrenia sooner or later leads to the destruction of personality, aimless existence and loss of interest, both in the world around us and in oneself. The sooner it starts drug treatment, the greater the likelihood of maintaining individuality and striving for social activity. Preserved Center "Preobrazhenie Clinic" offers outpatient and inpatient treatment in Moscow. If necessary, you can call a psychiatrist to your home; patients can attend socio-psychological rehabilitation groups and learn to understand themselves and the external space.

How to identify schizophrenia in humans and animals

Schizophrenia and other endogenous mental illness completely absent in animals. If neurosis occurs in pets after experiencing severe stress or prolonged discomfort, then even in wild animals neurotic disorders doesn't happen. What does this mean? That animals are not prone to unproductive mental and physical activities.

All animal behavior is constructive and aimed either at gaining experience or at ensuring its livelihood. Moreover, the presence of intelligence and complex emotions has been proven in higher animals. They do not have improper upbringing, unresolved conflicts or eternal sadness about what was lost. All questions are resolved and brought to their logical conclusion. Lonely non-adaptive animals either die or get used to a solitary existence. Sorrows are forgotten, wounds heal, bones grow together - and the beast is activated again to life.

Schizophrenia definition

Schizophrenia is a serious pathology of the behavioral-cognitive sphere associated with profound disturbances in relationships with oneself and the world. The change of generations transmits a certain style of behavior from generation to generation, fixing it at the genetic level. In schizophrenia, thinking, attention, emotions and intentions are irreversibly changed. But smooth out the changes and learn to manage your mental health possible with long-term and in-depth psychotherapy.

Does schizophrenia occur in animals?

No. And this gives us the understanding that there are no structural changes There is no brain in this disease, but there is a distorted perception of oneself and others. This speaks for the possibility of a cure for schizophrenia. But the life of one person is not always enough to cure a birth disease. But with each new effort the condition will stabilize and the disease will recede.

How to identify schizophrenia

Schizophrenia affects almost every area mental activity person.

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How to identify a schizophrenic? The manifestation of schizophrenia can be recognized by the following parameters:

• An apathetic attitude towards oneself and the outside world is manifested in sloppiness and a strange style of clothing, and a lack of self-care. Patients are often unshaven with dirty hair. Loss of interest in work, disappearance of previous interests, no strength or desire to acquire new experience and studies.
• A person with schizophrenia stops communicating with people. Becomes colder with friends and relatives, he does not trust people. In his delusional reasoning, he ceases to need an interlocutor.
• Thinking becomes fragmented and speech incoherent; phrases although they have a formal correct construction words – the very essence of the story is missing; Neologisms are invented - new words that are completely devoid of meaning.
• Emotions are either contradictory and inadequate to the situation, or flattened. In patients with schizophrenia, during an exacerbation, states of freezing in unusual positions are possible. Mental and motor restlessness. Often moments of aggression are replaced by periods of good nature and submission. Anxiety due to the inability to control conditions leads to sleep disturbances and general anxiety. Depression in schizophrenia has no cause and is usually not noticeable in appearance.
• Changes in behavior appear unusual hobbies, eccentricity and pretentiousness, asociality with early alcoholism, running away from school, theft. Patients experiencing hallucinations listen to something, hide, and become suspicious.

Psychiatrists have been using tests for schizophrenia for a long time, but among them there are studies that make it possible to determine initial stages diseases or verify the level of schizophrenia.

Schizophrenia is a rather dangerous diagnosis, so it cannot be established solely on the basis of tests. The method is used to identify early signs illnesses when you need to see a psychiatrist.

Experts will appreciate clinical symptoms, brain functionality. Only after comprehensive survey there is a possibility of making a diagnosis.

An online picture test for schizophrenia is recommended for people whose parents are prone to psychosis, different forms schizophrenia to determine the likelihood of the disease. Upon receipt positive results you need to see a psychiatrist. The ability to study the condition anonymously helps to take adequate therapeutic procedures at an early stage to protect against further progression of the disease.

Answering test questions anonymously increases the likelihood of receiving correct result, since the person is not burdened with the burden of making a disappointing diagnosis.

Test for schizophrenia using pictures: Rorschach test - diagnostic features

Diagnosis of schizophrenia using the Rorschach test is aimed at determining psychological state person. A special feature of the test is the analysis of unique blots and spots in the picture. Mental state determined based on associations of pictures with certain objects.

Hermann Rorschach's inkblots online cannot be deciphered by psychiatrists. When analyzing, you should write down your own associations, and then contact a specialist who will assess the likelihood of schizophrenia.

Let's give sample list Rorschach test answers to the question what do you see from a whole spot in the picture:

1. I see a man jumping, moving, singing;
2. In the image bat, another animal that wags its tail;
3. I observe a dragon, a witch or other mythical characters who harm surrounding creatures;
4. It seems to me that the picture shows an uninhabited house in which aliens nest;
5. The whole spot is associated with love and friendship.

When analyzing the answers, we can assume which options are typical for a person with schizophrenia. The final conclusion can be obtained after evaluating the answer options to 10 questions after analyzing the entire spots.