Types of Schizophrenia: Overview, Diagnosis & Care For Schizophrenia Symptoms

Understanding Schizophrenia

What Is Schizophrenia?

Schizophrenia is a chronic mental health disorder that affects how an individual behaves, thinks, and feels. 

The symptoms of schizophrenia are grouped into positive (an excessive or distorted functioning), cognitive (memory and thinking processes are affected), and negative (decrease or loss of function) symptoms. These symptoms include hallucinations, delusions, cognitive, and emotional issues.

Additionally, schizophrenia is the root cause of psychosis. Psychosis is a mental health disorder where you lose your sense of reality. The loss of reality is grouped into two types of symptoms: positive and negative. 

Is Schizophrenia Genetic?

Yes, mental health professionals believe that schizophrenia is genetic. 

Your family’s mental health history can determine whether or not you have a higher risk than others of being diagnosed with schizophrenia. Additionally, your risk can be higher if you have immediate family members who are diagnosed with schizophrenia. 

While schizophrenia is believed to be genetic, other factors can cause it. For example, the following are considered to increase the risk of schizophrenia:

• Environment: Where you live and what you’re exposed to can increase the risk of developing schizophrenia. Being exposed to virus-based illnesses, stress, and poor socioeconomic circumstances can influence your risk.
• Trauma: Emerging evidence links childhood trauma (abuse, neglect, severe early-life stress) with a higher risk of later psychosis and schizophrenia, possibly via long-term effects on stress-response systems and brain development. 
• Brain structure: Changes in your brain’s function and structure increase the risk of abnormal interactions between neurotransmitters (dopamine and glutamate).
• Substance use: Substance use, especially when you’re a teen or young adult, can potentially increase the risk of developing schizophrenia. Several studies have linked marijuana with an increased risk of psychotic events and ongoing psychotic incidents. 
• Pregnancy: Severe complications, like malnutrition or oxygen deprivation, during pregnancy can increase the risk of the child developing schizophrenia. 

What Type of Disorder Is Schizophrenia?

Schizophrenia is a type of psychotic disorder that is characterized by psychotic symptoms such as delusions and hallucinations.

The symptoms of schizophrenia can cause an individual to lose touch with reality, which can lead to distress and a decrease in their quality of life.

While schizophrenia is a distinct mental health condition, it can co-occur with mood disorders like bipolar disorder. When schizophrenia co-occurs with a mood disorder, it is classified as a schizoaffective disorder. 

How Is Schizophrenia Different From Other Types of Psychological Disorders?

The difference between schizophrenia and other types of mental health disorders is its combination of positive symptoms (hallucinations and delusions), negative symptoms (social isolation and flat affect), and cognitive deficits (disorganized behavior and memory issues). 

The various types of symptoms associated with schizophrenia disrupt an individual’s sense of reality, with symptoms like false beliefs, auditory hallucinations (hearing voices), and echopraxia (mimicking others’ behaviors), unlike any other type of psychological disorder.

Types of Schizophrenia

How Does DSM-5 Classify Types of Schizophrenia?

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) has modified its definition from schizophrenia to schizophrenia spectrum disorder.

The change in classification makes it easier for mental healthcare professionals to diagnose schizophrenia based on the severity of its symptoms. The changes were originally made by the American Psychiatric Association (APA) and then published in the DSM-5.

What Are the Different Types of Schizophrenia?

Prior to the change in definition of schizophrenia in the DSM-5, there were 5 distinct subtypes of schizophrenia, which are:

• Paranoid: The symptoms of paranoid schizophrenia can include disorganized thinking, significant paranoia, hallucinations, and delusions
• Disorganized/hebephrenic schizophrenia: Disorganized schizophrenia is known for symptoms such as disorganized speech, behavior, and inappropriate emotional responses.
• Residual: The residual phase is when you have gone through the active phase of schizophrenia and are no longer experiencing hallucinations or delusions.
• Catatonic: This is schizophrenia with catatonia. Some catatonic behaviors include stupor, mutism, and repetitive movements or speech. Catatonic schizophrenia is no longer used to define this type of schizophrenia.
• Undifferentiated: While the term undifferentiated schizophrenia no longer exists in the DSM-5, its symptoms include hallucinations and delusions. Other symptoms do not fit into other subtypes of schizophrenia.

The APA made the change because the subtypes challenged mental health professionals. After all, the symptoms of the subtypes weren’t always valid or reliable, which could hinder accurate diagnosis. While the subtypes are now a part of the schizophrenia spectrum, some mental health providers prefer to use the subtypes to determine the most appropriate treatment plan for an individual.

​Is Schizophrenia a Type of Psychosis?

Yes, healthcare providers often define schizophrenia as a type of psychosis.

Mental health professionals and healthcare providers consider schizophrenia a type of psychosis because of its symptoms, such as disorganized thinking, echolalia (repetition of phrases or words an individual spoke), and disorganized speech.

​Is Delusional Disorder a Type of Schizophrenia?

No, schizophrenia and delusional disorder are distinct types of psychotic disorders.

Unlike schizophrenia, delusions can have a decreased impact on an individual’s functioning. Those with delusional disorder can experience one or more delusions for a month. Additionally, the symptoms of delusional disorder occur later in life.

Schizophrenia’s psychotic symptoms, including hallucinations and delusions, do not need to be a part of a diagnosis of delusional disorder. Schizophrenia has a significant impact on an individual’s life, and the symptoms usually occur in the late teens to early adulthood. 

​Is Multiple Personality Disorder a Type of Schizophrenia?

No, Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID), once called multiple personality disorder, isn’t the same type of mental health disorder or a type of schizophrenia.

Schizophrenia’s symptoms occur without the presence of multiple personalities, while DID includes two or more distinct identities.

​Is Schizophrenia a Type of Depression?

No, schizophrenia is classified as a psychotic disorder.

Even though schizophrenia is not a type of depression, it can co-occur with depression, which makes it challenging to treat.

At Ocean View Psychiatric Health Facility, our multidisciplinary mental health team uses evidence-based psychoeducational methods to treat the acute symptoms of mental health conditions like depression. Our medical and mental health professionals understand how a co-occurring disorder can affect your well-being. That’s why our short-term care for acute symptoms includes medical stabilization and around-the-clock care.

Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders

What’s the Difference Between Schizophrenia and Schizophrenia Spectrum?

Schizophrenia is a distinct mental health condition with symptoms such as delusions and hallucinations. At the same time, there is a range of related disorders that share or have similar symptoms that can vary in severity and duration.

Those who are diagnosed with schizophrenia have at least two of its symptoms, one of which needs to be hallucinations, delusions, or disorganized speech,  for at least six months before diagnosis is possible.

How Many Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders Are There?

There are three schizophrenia disorders on the schizophrenia spectrum.

The three types of disorders are:

• Schizophreniform disorder
• Schizoaffective disorder
• Schizophrenia

​What Is Schizoaffective Disorder?

The combination of a mood disorder and schizophrenia is called schizoaffective disorder.

Mood disorders like depression or bipolar disorder affect an individual’s thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. These disorders require treatment that can include different treatment options, such as antidepressants. If schizophrenia co-occurs with a mood disorder, the individual may need antipsychotic medications to help stabilize and manage symptoms.

Symptoms of Different Types of Schizophrenia

What Are Positive Symptoms?

Positive symptoms of schizophrenia are new symptoms, not based in reality, or added to your usual thoughts and behaviors. 

The positive symptoms of schizophrenia are commonly associated with the active phase of schizophrenia. 

There are several positive symptoms, such as:

• Hallucinations
• Delusions
• Disorganized speech
• Confused behavior

What Are Negative Symptoms?

Negative symptoms are the loss of emotions or behaviors you would typically have. For example, you may lose interest in hobbies you enjoy.

The following are some negative symptoms:

• Apathy
• Flat emotions
• Social isolation or withdrawal
• Poor personal hygiene

What Are Cognitive Symptoms?

Mental health professionals began to notice that individuals experienced more than positive and negative symptoms and classified the following cognitive symptoms:

• Difficulty concentrating
• Memory issues
• Challenges in making decisions, organizing, and planning

What Is the Most Common Type of Hallucination in Schizophrenia?

Hallucinations are associated with schizophrenia, with auditory hallucinations being the most common form.

Individuals who experience auditory hallucinations hear voices or sounds that are not based in reality.

What Other Psychotic Symptoms Are Related to Schizophrenia?

There are several symptoms connected to schizophrenia, such as:

• Visual or auditory hallucinations
• Beliefs that are not true and difficulty organizing thoughts
• Strange body movements

Do Underlying Medical Conditions Mimic Schizophrenia Symptoms?

Yes, there are underlying medical conditions that can mimic schizophrenia’s symptoms.

Healthcare providers will perform a comprehensive assessment to rule out medical conditions before they make a diagnosis. 

Examples of medical conditions that can mimic the symptoms of schizophrenia are:

• Autoimmune encephalitis
• Seizure disorders, epilepsy
• Traumatic brain injury
• Vitamin deficiencies

Diagnosis of Schizophrenia

How Is Schizophrenia Diagnosed?

To diagnose schizophrenia, a mental healthcare provider will complete a comprehensive assessment that includes:

• A physical exam
• Mental health evaluation
• Ruling out medical or other mental health conditions that have similar symptoms

Additionally, symptoms such as delusions or hallucinations must occur for at least a month.

How Are Symptom Timelines and Severity Evaluated?

Complex mental disorders like schizophrenia are best defined in stages. 

The stages will depict a particular point in the progression of the illness and determine the appropriate care needed for that stage. Treatment for schizophrenia needs to consider the various stages of the disorder. Once the stage is identified, treatment options or a specific schizophrenia treatment that is tailored to your needs will be determined.

Will Diagnosis Consider Overlapping Symptoms?

Yes, healthcare providers do consider overlapping symptoms associated with other mental health conditions or medical conditions to diagnose schizophrenia.

Consideration of overlapping symptoms ensures an accurate diagnosis, and the proper treatment options are reviewed.

Approach to Care for Schizophrenia

How Does Acute Psychiatric Stabilization Work?

Stabilizing the acute symptoms of schizophrenia requires medication. Medication stabilization and management ment help stabilize acute psychiatric symptoms related to schizophrenia. 

What Medications and Short-Term Interventions Are Used During Stabilization?

Individuals undergoing short-term acute psychiatric care will be prescribed antipsychotic medications to stabilize their symptoms as well as psychotherapy and empathetic support from a healthcare team.

Ocean View Psychiatric Health Facility’s acute psychiatric care includes medical stabilization under the supervision of our doctor. While you are with us, you will participate in evidence-based psychoeducational sessions and recreational therapy groups. 

What Brief Therapies and Behavioral Strategies Support Acute Recovery?

Short-term care for acute psychiatric crises uses several behavioral strategies, such as mindfulness-based therapies and learning appropriate social skills.

Those experiencing the symptoms of schizophrenia often have difficulties connected with their symptoms in several areas of their lives. Sessions that guide them in discovering healthy social skills and calming and relaxation practices, such as deep breathing, can help them maintain and recognize their symptoms.

How Do You Coordinate Follow-up After Stabilization?

While you are in an acute psychiatric facility, you will receive guidance in developing a treatment plan that includes referrals and support systems in your community.

Ocean View’s multidisciplinary treatment team will work with you to identify ways to transition from our care into groups and support systems that will aid your clinical improvement. We also work with your therapist to ensure your treatment continues smoothly once you return to their care.

What Discharge Planning Should Follow Stabilization?

When you enter treatment, your discharge planning begins.

Acute psychiatric care includes creating a discharge plan that meets your unique needs. As you progress and participate in psychoeducational sessions, you can change your aftercare plan to reflect your needs.

How to Help Someone With Schizophrenia

When Should I Help a Loved One?

The signs your loved one needs to seek help include:

• Psychotic Episodes: The inability to distinguish between reality and imagination. These episodes are commonly linked to hallucinations and delusions.
• Suicidal Thoughts: Thoughts of self-harm or suicide require immediate help.
• Substance Abuse: The use of or an increased use of alcohol or drugs to cope with the symptoms of mental health disorders.
• Other Severe Symptoms: Symptoms like disorganized thinking or behaviors that become overwhelming require acute psychiatric stabilization. 

Helping and supporting a loved one is something you can do throughout their life. However, if you think your loved one is experiencing an acute psychiatric crisis, you should seek help immediately.

How Can Families Support Safety and Crisis Planning?

Recognizing the early signs of an acute crisis and maintaining open, empathetic communication can support crisis and safety planning.

Furthermore, families should collaborate with healthcare professionals to develop a safety plan that includes steps to take when a crisis occurs and emergency phone numbers.

When Is Emergency Care Necessary?

If you or a loved one has any of the following severe crisis symptoms, call or text (988) the National Suicide Prevention emergency hotline immediately:

• Threatening to harm others
• Threats to harm yourself
• Suicide attempts

How to Communicate With Care Teams and Plan Next Steps?

Communication with mental health care teams through family therapy sessions is an effective way to plan the steps needed to support your loved one.

Family support is crucial for your loved one, but you may not know how to support them. Becoming involved in family therapy and support groups can help you develop a crisis plan.