Schizophrenia 3 Diagnosis, and Symptoms Categories

Diagnosis means recognizing and classifying the illness through a spectrum of symptoms, according to one of the two diagnostic systems----;---- (Mueser & Gingerich, 2005). Each illness´-or-disease has certain symptoms through which it can be easily diagnosed----;---- however, different diseases can have common symptoms, and in this case there must be one´-or-some symptoms that are more prominent in one disease than the other. Yet, this is not the case with diagnosing schizophrenia as it is difficult and takes time because, on one hand its symptoms are so varied and numerous----;---- in the sense that it has no single definitive indication that can assure its presence, on the other hand these symptoms may be common in other illnesses----;---- besides, different phase of schizophrenia have different symptoms that may last several days to many years, and can be intermingled and confused with other illnesses symptoms----;----(Pratt, Gill, Barrett & Roberts, 2007).

Schizophrenia usually emerges between the late teens and the mid-thirties and only rarely prior to adolescence´-or-after age forty five. It also seems to be equally prevalent in men and women. For unknown reasons it is generally more severe and strikes earlier in men than in women----;---- (Huffman, 2010), (Combs et al., 2008----;---- Faraone, 2008----;---- Gottesman, 1991----;---- Mueser & Jeste, 2008----;---- Tsuang, Stone, & Fareone, 2001).

According to specific, objectively defined criteria of the diagnostic systems, a person can be evaluated and diagnosis of a psychiatric disorder can be made. There are two diagnostic systems widely used throughout the world----;---- the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders developed by the American Psychiatric Association 4th edition (DSM-IV), and the International Classification of Diseases, developed by the World Health Organization 10th edition (ICD-10)----;---- (Mueser & Gingerich, 2005). “A diagnosis of schizophrenia must be based on interviews with the person, relatives and others who know the person well,” and medical tests are made to exclude physical symptoms (Mueser & Gingerich, 2005). A number of mental health professionals may be qualified to make the diagnosis of schizophrenia because it is an essential part of their training----;---- all psychiatrists, psychologists, psychiatric social workers and nurses. However, psychiatrists are the most experienced in the field.

Symptoms mean signs´-or-indications of a disease´-or-illness. The symptoms of schizophrenia are complex as it is not a unitary disease and it covers a number of disorders. Schizophrenic symptoms have more than one classification according to type´-or-spectra and manifestations. Despite the fact that schizophrenia is always used in its singular form, “most experts believe it is actually a series of disorders”, (Young, 1988). This means that schizophrenia is always accompanied by many different disorders----;---- however, theses disorders are related to Schizophrenia.

Experts generally agree on three basic categories of schizophrenia----;---- hebephrenic, catatonic and paranoid. Hebephrenics manifest silly behaviors such as grimaces, giggles, odd rhymes and jokes. These behaviors are pathetic rather than funny. “Delusions and hallucinations are not part of their major symptoms”----;---- even though their mentalities and emotions are “shattered”----;---- (Young, 1988). Their illness is gradual but usually unremitting----;---- (Young, 1988). Hebephrenic symptoms are also called motor symptoms as the schizophrenics become very excited and agitated and may engage in such an excessive motor activity that “it can become life-threatening because of overexertion and related heat stress”----;---- (Burke, Gates & Hammond 1995). Some other schizophrenics make unusual facial expressions such as grimacing,´-or-do repetitive motor activities such as unusual hand´-or-finger movements. Even though these behaviors seem to be random´-or-purposeless, some may have something to do with the patient’s delusions. For example a patient who spends his days marching endlessly up and down at the hospital quadrangle denoted that he was a sergeant-major with delusions about a need to have everyone ready for combat against an imaginary enemy----;---- (Burke, Gates & Hammond 1995). Catatonics show dramatic body behaviors that range from complete immobility that suggests their loss of touch with reality to rapid excited motion that seems jerky and machinelike----;---- (Young, 1988). Catatonics are considered usually on the other end of the motor continuum where a patient remains immobile in one position for long periods----;---- (Burke, Gates & Hammond 1995). Paranoids expose anxiety, anger, and violent behavior, delusions of persecution´-or-grandeur, and hallucinations. They seem to be “more intelligent” and the disease usually happens a little later in life----;---- (Young, 1988).

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