Schizophrenia is a complex clinical diagnosis with a highly controversial history. You cannot conclude for yourself that you have schizophrenia or not. You should consult an expert, such as a psychiatrist or clinical psychologist. Only a professional mental health specialist can make an accurate diagnosis of schizophrenia. However, if you have concerns that you may have schizophrenia, please learn some criteria that can help you understand what schizophrenia is like and whether you are at risk.
Step
Part 1 of 5: Identifying Characteristic Symptoms
Step 1. Identify the characteristic symptoms of schizophrenia (Criterion A)
To diagnose schizophrenia, a mental health specialist will first look for symptoms in five “domains”, namely delusions, hallucinations, disorganized thinking and speech, abnormal or abnormal motor behavior (including catatonia), and negative symptoms (symptoms that indicate changes in behavior). behavior in a negative direction).
To conclude schizophrenia, you must experience at least 2 (or more) of these symptoms. Each symptom should be felt for a significant amount of time within a 1 month period (or less if symptoms have been treated). At least one of at least 2 symptoms must be delusions, hallucinations, or disorganized speech
Step 2. Think about whether you might be experiencing delusions
Delusions are irrational beliefs that often arise in response to perceived threats that are completely unfounded or unconfirmed by others. Delusions persist even when there is evidence that they are not true.
- There is a difference between delusion and suspicion. Many people experience irrational suspicions from time to time, such as believing that their co-workers are aiming to bring them down or that they are always having bad luck. The difference lies in whether the belief causes you anxiety or is unable to function.
- For example, if you believe so strongly that the government is spying on you that you don't want to leave your house for work or school, it is a sign that your beliefs are causing dysfunction in life.
- Delusions are sometimes magical, such as believing that you are an animal or supernatural being. If you believe something out of the ordinary, it may be a sign of delusion (but certainly not the only possibility).
Step 3. Consider whether you are having hallucinations
Hallucinations are sensory experiences that appear real, but are actually created in your mind. Some of the common hallucinations are related to audio (hearing voices), visual (seeing something), olfactory (smelling smells), or tactile (feeling something, like something is crawling on the skin). Hallucinations can affect any sense.
For example, think about whether you often experience the sensation of something crawling through your body. Do you hear voices when no one else is around? Did you see something that “shouldn't” be there, or that no one else saw?
Step 4. Consider your faith and cultural norms
Having beliefs that others find "weird" is not a sign that you are delusional. Similarly, seeing things no one else sees doesn't necessarily mean dangerous hallucinations. Beliefs can only be considered “delusional” or dangerous according to local culture and religious norms. Beliefs and visions are usually only considered signs of psychosis or schizophrenia if they cause unwanted obstruction or dysfunction in daily life.
- For example, the belief that evil deeds will be punished by “destiny” or “karma” may seem like a delusion to some cultures, but others do not think so.
- What are considered hallucinations are also related to cultural norms. For example, in some cultures, it is considered normal for young children to experience audio or visual hallucinations, such as hearing the voices of a deceased relative, without being considered psychotic and not experiencing psychosis later in life.
- Very devout believers may also be able to see or hear things, such as hearing the voice of a god or seeing an angel. Many beliefs or religions find this experience real and productive, even sought after. This vision generally does not cause problems, unless the person is having trouble or endangering himself or others.
Step 5. Consider whether your speech and thoughts are muddled
There is no technical term for this symptom, except for a disorganized way of speaking and thinking. You may find it difficult to answer questions effectively or completely. Your answer may be unrelated to the question, fragmented, or incomplete. In many cases, slurred speech is accompanied by an inability or unwillingness to make eye contact or use nonverbal communication, such as gestures or other body language. You may need someone else's help to find out if you have these symptoms.
- In the most severe cases, sufferers sometimes “slurp”, uttering a series of words or ideas that are unrelated and make no sense to the listener.
- As with the other symptoms in this section, you must also consider this “chaotic” way of speaking and thinking in social and cultural contexts. For example, some religions believe that a person can speak strange or incomprehensible languages when dealing with supernatural beings. In addition, storytelling is so different in each culture that stories told by people from one culture may appear “weird” or “chaotic” to outsiders unfamiliar with that culture's norms and traditions.
- Your language is considered “chaotic” only if other people familiar with your religious and cultural norms cannot understand or interpret it (or occur in situations that “should” understand your language).
Step 6. Identify catatonic or inappropriate behavior
Catatonic or unnatural behavior manifests in a variety of ways. You may feel like you can't focus, making it difficult to do even the simplest things, like washing your hands. Maybe you feel nervous, stupid, or excited in an unexpected way. “abnormal” motor behavior may manifest in inappropriate, unfocused, exaggerated, or aimless behavior. For example, waving your hand in fear or adopting a strange posture.
Catatonia is another sign of abnormal motor behavior. In severe cases of schizophrenia, you can remain silent and mute for days. People with catatonia will not respond to external stimuli, such as conversation or even physical movements, such as touch or poke
Step 7. Think about whether you have a dysfunction
Negative symptoms are symptoms that indicate a change in behavior that is less than "normal". For example, decreased levels of emotion or expression could be considered a “negative symptom”. Likewise, a loss of interest in things you used to enjoy or a lack of motivation to do so.
- Negative symptoms can also be cognitive, such as difficulty concentrating. These cognitive symptoms are usually more self-defeating and obvious to others than the disinterest or difficulty concentrating that is usually seen in people diagnosed with Attention and Hyperactivity Disorder (ADD).
- Unlike ADD or ADHD, cognitive difficulties will occur in almost any situation you encounter and cause significant problems for you in many aspects of your life.
Part 2 of 5: Thinking About Your Life with Others
Step 1. Consider whether your social and occupational life is functioning (Criterion B)
The second criterion for the diagnosis of schizophrenia is “social/occupational dysfunction”. This dysfunction must be present for a significant amount of time from the time you first show symptoms. Many conditions can cause dysfunction in social and work life, so even if you have difficulty in one or more of these areas, it doesn't necessarily mean you have schizophrenia. The disturbance should appear in one or more of the following functions:
- Occupation/academic
- Interpersonal relationship
- Self care
Step 2. Think about how you handle work
One of the criteria for “dysfunction” is the inability to perform a job. If you are a student, the ability to study in school should be considered. Think about the following:
- Do you feel psychologically capable of leaving home for work or school?
- Do you ever find it difficult to leave on time or show up regularly?
- Is there a certain part of the job that you are now afraid to do?
- If you are a student, is your academic performance declining?
Step 3. Reflect on your relationships with other people
This should be considered keeping in mind what is normal for you. If you're a solitary person, a reluctance to socialize isn't necessarily a sign of dysfunction. However, if you notice that your behavior and motivations are becoming abnormal, you may want to talk to a mental health professional.
- Are you still enjoying the same relationship as usual?
- Are you enjoying socializing as usual?
- Are you now chatting with other people less often than usual?
- Do you feel afraid or very worried when interacting with other people?
- Do you feel wronged by others, or that other people have ulterior motives in you?
Step 4. Think about how you take care of yourself
“Self-care” refers to your ability to take care of yourself, stay healthy and stay functioning. This should be judged in the context of “normal” for you. For example, if you normally exercise 2-3 times per week but have not shown any interest in doing so again for the past 3 months, this may be a sign of a disturbance. The following behaviors are also signs of decreased self-care skills:
- You start or increase your use of illegal substances such as alcohol or drugs
- You don't sleep well, or your sleep cycle varies widely (e.g. 2 hours one night, 14 hours the next night, etc.)
- You don't "feel" energized, or you feel "flat"
- Your body hygiene is not adequate
- You don't take care of the residence
Part 3 of 5: Considering Other Possibilities
Step 1. Consider how long your symptoms have been present (Criterion C)
To diagnose schizophrenia, a mental health professional will ask how long you have had the disorder and your symptoms. In people with schizophrenia, the disorder must have been present for at least 6 months.
- This period must include at least 1 month of “active phase” symptoms from Method 1 (Criterion A), although that 1 month may be less if symptoms have been treated.
- This 6-month period may also include periods of “prodromal” or “precipitating” symptoms. During this period, your symptoms may be less extreme (weakening) or you may only experience “negative symptoms” such as not feeling much emotion or not wanting to do anything.
Step 2. Verify that no other disease is causing the symptoms (Criterion D)
Schizoaffective disorder and depressive or bipolar disorder with psychotic features can cause symptoms that are very similar to some of the symptoms of schizophrenia. Other illnesses or physical trauma, such as strokes and tumors, can also cause psychotic symptoms. This is why you should seek the help of a doctor or mental health specialist. You cannot recognize this difference alone.
- Your doctor will ask you if you've had a major depressive or manic episode at the same time as the "active phase" symptoms.
- Over a period of at least 2 weeks, a major depressive episode involves a depressed mood or a loss of interest and pleasure in doing something you used to enjoy. There may also be regular or near-constant symptoms within that time frame, such as significant weight changes, disturbances in sleep patterns, fatigue, excitability or weakness, feeling guilty or worthless, difficulty concentrating and thinking, or constantly thinking about death. A mental health specialist will help determine if you are having a major depressive episode.
- A manic episode is a distinct period of time (usually a minimum of 1 week) when you experience an abnormally elevated, disturbed, or irritable mood. You will also exhibit at least three other symptoms, such as a reduced need for sleep, increased ideas about yourself, wandering or disorganized thoughts, easily distracted attention, increased involvement in goal-directed activities, or excessive participation in leisure activities, especially activities that are high risk or invite negative consequences. A mental health specialist will help determine if you are having a manic-depressive episode.
- You will also be asked how long the mood episode lasts in the “active phase” symptoms. If these episodes are brief compared to the active and precipitate periods, they may be a sign of schizophrenia.
Step 3. Ensure no use of prohibited substances (Criterion B)
Use of illicit substances, such as drugs or alcohol, can cause symptoms similar to those of schizophrenia. When diagnosing you, your doctor will make sure that your disorder and symptoms are not caused by the "direct psychological effects" of substances such as drugs or illegal drugs.
- Even legal prescription drugs can cause side effects such as hallucinations. You should seek a diagnosis from a doctor or a trained specialist so that he or she can distinguish between the side effects of certain substances and the symptoms of the disease.
- Substance use disorders (commonly referred to as “substance abuse”) commonly co-occur with schizophrenia. Many people with schizophrenia attempt to "treat" their own symptoms with drugs, alcohol, and drugs. A mental health professional will help determine if you have a disorder due to substance use.
Step 4. Consider the relationship to general developmental delay or autism spectrum disorder
This is another element that must be addressed by a specialist. Generalized developmental delays or autism spectrum disorders can cause symptoms similar to those of schizophrenia.
If there is a history of autism spectrum disorder or other communication disorder that started in childhood, the diagnosis of schizophrenia will only be concluded if there are prominent delusions or hallucinations
Step 5. Understand that these criteria do not “guarantee” that you have schizophrenia
The criteria for schizophrenia and many other psychiatric diagnoses are called polythetic. That is, there are many ways of interpreting symptoms and how they combine and are seen by others. Diagnosing schizophrenia is very difficult even for trained professionals.
- It's also possible, as noted earlier, that your symptoms are the result of trauma, illness, or another disorder. You should seek a doctor or medical specialist and mental health professional to properly diagnose the disorder or disease.
- Local and personal cultural norms and idiosyncrasies in your thoughts and speech can influence whether your behavior appears “normal” to others.
Part 4 of 5: Taking Action
Step 1. Ask friends and family for help
Difficult to identify some conditions such as delusions in yourself. Ask family and friends for help to see if you exhibit any of these symptoms.
Step 2. Keep a journal
Write down when you think you are having hallucinations or other symptoms. Take note of what happened just before or during the episode. This will help you find out if any of these are common. It will also help you when consulting a specialist.
Step 3. Watch for unusual behavior
Schizophrenia, especially in adolescents, develops slowly over a period of 6–9 months. If you feel like you're behaving differently and don't know why, talk to a mental health specialist. Don't just "get" the behavior out of your mind, especially if the behavior is very unusual for you or causes difficulty or dysfunction. This change is a sign that something is wrong. That something may not be schizophrenia, but it's important to consider.
Step 4. Run the test
Tests on the internet cannot determine if you have schizophrenia. Only a specialist can make an accurate diagnosis after conducting tests, examinations and interviews with you. However, a trusted screening quiz can help you identify the symptoms you're experiencing and whether they suggest schizophrenia. Currently in Indonesia there is no website to find out the possibility of schizophrenia, but you can try websites from:
- Counseling Resource Mental Health Library which provides a free version of STEPI (Schizophrenia Test and Early Psychosis Indicator).
- Psych Central which also provides free tests.
Step 5. Consult a professional
If you are concerned that you may have schizophrenia, talk to your doctor or therapist. While they usually don't have the resources to diagnose schizophrenia, a GP or therapist can help you understand better about schizophrenia and whether or not you should see a psychiatrist.
Your doctor can also help you make sure that there are no other causes for your symptoms, such as injury or illness
Part 5 of 5: Knowing Who's at Risk
Step 1. Understand that the causes of schizophrenia are still being researched
Although researchers have identified some correlations between certain factors and the development or triggers of schizophrenia, the exact cause remains unknown.
Discuss your family history and medical background with your doctor or mental health specialist
Step 2. Consider whether you have a relative who has schizophrenia or a similar disorder
At least, schizophrenia is half genetic. Your risk may be about 10% higher if at least one “first-degree” family member (eg parent, sibling) has schizophrenia.
- If you are an identical twin with schizophrenia, or if both of your parents have been diagnosed with schizophrenia, your risk is higher, by about 40–65%.
- However, about 60% of people diagnosed with schizophrenia do not have a close relative who has schizophrenia.
- If other family members-or you-have other disorders similar to schizophrenia, such as delusional disorder, your risk may be higher.
Step 3. Check if you were exposed to certain things while in the womb
Babies exposed to viruses, toxins, or malnutrition while still in the womb may be more likely to develop schizophrenia. This is especially true if the exposure occurred in the first and second trimesters.
- Babies who are deprived of oxygen at birth also have a higher chance of developing schizophrenia.
- Babies born under starvation are twice as likely to have schizophrenia. This happens because malnourished mothers cannot get enough nutrients during pregnancy.
Step 4. Think about your father's age
Several studies have shown a correlation between the age of the father and the risk of schizophrenia in the child. One study showed that children whose fathers were 50 years or older when they were born were three times more likely to have schizophrenia than children whose fathers were 25 years old or younger at birth.
This is thought to be because the older the father, the more likely his sperm to develop the genetic mutation
Tips
- Write down all your symptoms. Ask friends and family if they notice a change in your behavior.
- Tell your doctor about your symptoms completely. You should tell all your symptoms and experiences. Your doctor or mental health specialist will not judge you, but help you.
- Keep in mind that there are many social and cultural factors that contribute to the way people perceive and identify with schizophrenia. Before seeing a psychiatrist, it's a good idea to do a little research on psychiatric diagnosis and treatment for schizophrenia.
Warning
- Don't self-medicate your symptoms with drugs, alcohol, or drugs. This will make the condition worse and potentially harm or kill you.
- This article is for medical information only, not a diagnosis or treatment. You can't diagnose schizophrenia on your own. Schizophrenia is a serious medical and psychological problem and should be diagnosed and treated by a professional specialist
- As with any disease, the sooner you get a diagnosis and treatment, the more likely it is to overcome it and live a good life.
- There is no "cure" that fits everyone. Be wary of treatments or people trying to tell you they can “cure” you, especially if they promise the process will be quick and easy.
