Here are a few key differences between the two conditions. A person with manic depression will be more expressive with his or her feelings, while a person with schizophrenia will be unable to show emotion, lack facial expressions, and speak with a flat tone.
Depression doesn't cause schizophrenia. However, some people with severe clinical depression will experience symptoms of psychosis, such as hallucinations, delusions and disordered thinking and speech.
People with paranoid schizophrenia have an altered perception of reality. They may see or hear things that don't exist, speak in confusing ways, believe that others are trying to harm them, or feel like they're being constantly watched.
People with bipolar disorder often have periods of being “up” or “on” when they're extremely energized or happy, then fall into periods of deep depression. Some people with severe bipolar disorder have delusions or hallucinations. That's why they may be misdiagnosed with schizophrenia.
Common symptoms of schizophrenia
You may be diagnosed with schizophrenia if you experience 2 or more of the following symptoms for at least 1 month: delusions. hallucinations. incoherent speech, or speech that quickly switches from topic to topic with no thread between them.
Schizophrenia can be hard to diagnose for a few reasons. One is that people with the disorder often don't realize they're ill, so they're unlikely to go to a doctor for help.
Anxiety Disorders With Schizophrenia-Like Symptoms
' The two anxiety disorders most commonly associated with schizophrenia fears are panic disorder and obsessive compulsive disorder. This is due to the overlapping symptoms of the anxiety disorders with schizophrenia.
Schizophrenia can go without a diagnosis for various reasons. Sometimes, individuals may be unaware of the symptoms or attribute them to other causes. They may also experience stigma or fear surrounding mental health issues, preventing them from seeking help.
If you're experiencing unwanted thoughts about losing your mind, becoming psychotic, or developing schizophrenia, it may be a sign of schizophrenia OCD. You might find yourself constantly questioning the state of your mind, which can cause you to be overly focused on feeling different than usual.
An MRI scan—in which magnetic fields and sound waves are used to create two- or three-dimensional images—may provide a good view of the structure of the brain and rule out schizophrenia by detecting abnormalities that may be causing schizophrenia-like symptoms.
Common early signs of schizophrenia vary by age group and include: Young children: Delayed development. Older kids and teens: Depression, isolation, behavioral problems (e.g., stealing) or changes (e.g., bizarre or unusual thoughts or actions), and trouble focusing.
People who have psychotic episodes are often totally unaware their behaviour is in any way strange or that their delusions or hallucinations are not real. They may recognise delusional or bizarre behaviour in others, but lack the self-awareness to recognise it in themselves.
Unfortunately, most people with schizophrenia are unaware that their symptoms are warning signs of a mental disorder. Their lives may be unraveling, yet they may believe that their experiences are normal. Or they may feel that they're blessed or cursed with special insights that others can't see.
However, there are features in common to both depression and negative symptoms, such as social withdrawal, diminished capacity to experience pleasure (anhedonia) and loss of motivation.
Some researchers believe that anxiety may contribute to the development of schizophrenia, but it is not necessarily a direct cause. It is important to remember that schizophrenia is a complex illness with many risk factors and causes, and anxiety may be one aspect of it.
Anxiety is Not Psychosis. The truth is that while anxiety can cause a lot of different changes and behaviors, psychotic behavior is not one of them. Psychosis is characterized by a dangerous loss of reality.
Borderline schizophrenia is a term that is used to describe the occurrence of both BPD and schizophrenia. However, it is not an established diagnosis. BPD and schizophrenia are separate conditions that can occur together. They also share many similarities.
Left untreated, schizophrenia can result in severe problems that affect every area of life. Complications that schizophrenia may cause or be associated with include: Suicide, suicide attempts and thoughts of suicide.
There's no single test for schizophrenia and the condition is usually diagnosed after assessment by a specialist in mental health. If you're concerned you may be developing symptoms of schizophrenia, see a GP as soon as possible. The earlier schizophrenia is treated, the better.
Hallucinations: Seeing or hearing things that aren't there. Delusions: Mistaken but firmly held beliefs that are easy to prove wrong, like thinking you have superpowers, are a famous person, or people are out to get you. Disorganized speech: Using words and sentences that don't make sense to others.
Experts aren't sure what exactly triggers the first episode or the early warning signs. But many things can lead to psychosis: Genetics. Several specific genes and a family history of psychosis may make it more likely for you to develop it.
The effect can be disabling. In most people with schizophrenia, symptoms generally start in the mid- to late 20s, though it can start later, up to the mid-30s. Schizophrenia is considered early onset when it starts before the age of 18. Onset of schizophrenia in children younger than age 13 is extremely rare.