Schizophrenia is a complex illness that is often unpredictable and can be difficult to detect in yourself. However, there are warning signs that can be noticed before more severe symptoms such as hallucinations and/or delusions begin. I have found that I am now more aware of my symptoms, but it got to the point where I had to be hospitalized before I could get help and find some relief, before I was diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder depressive type.
Learning to detect my symptoms as they occur has helped me tremendously in focusing on my own health and ensuring my safety in the future. However, on the other hand, if you are concerned about a loved one, it is important to detect the warning signs early so that you can help them if they cannot help themselves. Educating yourself about the early warning signs of schizophrenia will help you educate your loved one, yourself, or even others about this complex illness.
Early diagnosis is crucial to the safety of those affected by schizophrenia, and the more we learn about this condition and its counterpart, schizoaffective disorder, the more we can create a culture of understanding and care.
The media and our society as a whole tend to stereotype schizophrenia as a series of extreme hallucinations and delusions, and do not focus on the full experiences of people with schizophrenia. While these symptoms are one element of this illness, there are many other symptoms that often occur before a person experiences hallucinations and/or delusions. Learning how to spot these early warning signs is important not only in detecting schizophrenia, but also in detecting a variety of mental illnesses.
The following symptoms are warning signs of schizophrenia, but they are also warning signs of other mental illnesses, such as depression. If you notice these symptoms in yourself or a loved one, the best thing you can do is call a crisis center in your area or go to the emergency room. Safety is a top priority during early diagnosis, and getting help right away is key. I believe there is no such thing as overreaction when it comes to seeking help for mental illness and that it is important to seek higher levels of care at any stage of mental illness.
Some of the early warning signs to watch for when schizophrenia is suspected include:
Decreased work or school performance.
Difficulty concentrating.
Paranoia or suspicion of others.
Decreased self-care/hygiene.
Isolation or spending more time alone.
Strong emotional reactions or lack of emotion.
The earliest symptoms I experienced before I experienced psychosis were poor self-care and hygiene. I would often go days without getting dressed, and it was difficult to shower regularly. I also noticed that I was isolated and had strong emotional reactions that were often inappropriate. I also struggled to attend my classes and participate in my internship. These symptoms lasted for months and eventually developed into me experiencing hallucinations and delusions. While each person’s symptoms may look different, these tend to be universal symptoms for early detection of mental illnesses, especially schizophrenia.
Schizophrenia is a serious mental illness, and early detection is our best tool in keeping our loved ones and/or ourselves safe. The more we emphasize the importance of detecting mental illness, the more empathy and compassion we can create for mental health. If you are concerned, please seek help from a higher authority in your area. You could save a life.