Definition of Paranoid Shizophrenia

Definition of Paranoid Schizophrenia

Description and Definition

Schizophrenia causes its victims to lose touch with reality. They often begin to hear, see, or feel things that aren't really there or become convinced of things that simply aren't true. In the paranoid form of this disorder, they develop the delusion that everything and everyone is out to get them. The first signs of paranoid schizophrenia usually surface between the ages of 15 and 34. There is no cure, but the disorder can be controlled with medications. Severe attacks may require hospitalization. The term schizophrenia comes from the Greek words schizo (split or divide) and phrenos (mind) and is best translated as "shattered mind".In the DSM-IV, paranoid schizophrenia is defined as:

A type of schizophrenia in which there are:

* Obsessions with one or more delusions or with frequent hallucinations related to a single theme.

* None of the following: incoherence, catatonic behavior, disorganized behavior.

Causes

The causes of schizophrenia are still under debate. A chemical imbalance in the brain seems to play a role, but the reason for the imbalance remains unclear. It is known that you're a bit more likely to become schizophrenic if you have a family member with the illness. Stress does not cause schizophrenia, but can make the symptoms worse.

Signs/Symptoms

Schizophrenia usually develops gradually, although onset can be sudden. Friends and family often notice the first changes before the victim does. Among the signs are:

* Confusion

* Hallucinations

* Delusions

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