A recent discovery has shown that the serious mental illness that is schizophrenia is actually a group of 8 distinct genetic disorders. Although genetic research has been difficult for those involved in the field of mental health, it is the future of all medicine and humanity. Simply altering neurotransmitters with drugs is a short term …
Latuda (Lurasidone) is a new atypical antipsychotic drug that is approved for the treatment of depressive episodes in bipolar disorder (type 1) as well as schizophrenia. It is considered a relatively new drug as it was just approved in 2013 to treat depressive episodes for people with bipolar I disorder. This drug is somewhat unique …
The symptoms that people experience during schizophrenia can vary depending on the subtype of the illness. There are 5 types of schizophrenia as recognized by the DSM (Diagnostic & Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) and although many have similar general symptoms, there are various features that can distinguish one subtype from the others. A diagnosis …
Undifferentiated schizophrenia is characterized by general symptoms of schizophrenia that do not fit a specific classification or diagnosis of another subtype. People may exhibit the traditional “positive” and “negative” symptoms, but they may fluctuate over a period of time. This type of schizophrenia can be particularly challenging to diagnose with confidence because someone needs to …
Residual schizophrenia is one of the 5 types of schizophrenia that is characterized by a long-term history of negative symptoms (i.e. psychomotor slowing), with very infrequent or rare occurrences of positive symptoms. To meet the criteria for diagnosis, the person must have experienced positive symptoms (e.g. hallucinations/delusions/etc.) at some point. With that said, the person …
Disorganized schizophrenia (also called “hebephrenia”) is one of the 5 main types of schizophrenia. It is characterized by symptoms of extreme disorganization and typically develops between 15 and 25 years of age. The term “hebephrenia” is Greek for “adolescence” and refers to the fact that this subtype of schizophrenia typically has an adolescent onset. Primary …
Paranoid schizophrenia is one of the 5 main subtypes of schizophrenia characterized by an intense paranoia which is often accompanied by delusions and hallucinations. Most people with paranoid schizophrenia have auditory hallucinations (i.e. they hear voices) and may experience delusions that people are “plotting” against them. For example, someone with this illness may believe that …