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  • Schizophrenia
    Schizophrenia affects approximately 1% of the world population and has a ubiquitous distribution. Schizophrenia  cuts across boundaries of gender, socioeconomic class, race, caste, creed and geographic location. This implies that anybody can be affected by schizophrenia. It is considered as the “greatest disabler of youth” as it most commonly affects persons in the productive period of their life between 15 and 35 years of age. The World Health Organization (WHO) has identified schizophrenia as one of the ten most disabling disorders affecting all human beings.
Submitted by PatientsEngage on 18 May 2016

Are there investigations to diagnose Schizophrenia?

There is no single diagnostic test to confirm this illness. The information provided by an observant family member combined with the doctor’s clinical acumen go a long way in arriving at a diagnosis. As a family member watch out for these signs and symptoms of Schizophrenia.

Then how is this condition diagnosed?

Like seizures or migraine this is a clinical entity which is diagnosed purely by a good psychiatrist’s diagnostic skills. The information provided by an observant family member combined with the doctor’s clinical acumen goes a long way in arriving at a diagnosis.

Besides, there are scientifically laid down guidelines and diagnostic criteria for arriving at a diagnosis, like the International Classification of Diseases 10 (ICD 10) and the DSM V which help a psychiatrist in making the right diagnosis.

Condition

Stories

  • Image of face of Yuna Angel, young singaporean woman looking at the camera, green design effect
    Find Me a Job Right for my Mental Illness
    It is often misconstrued that people with schizophrenia are being lazy when they find it hard to continue with a job. Yuna Angell, who has schizophrenia, writes about her work experience at a fast food restaurant and what happened to her there. If you have schizophrenia, you will probably experience a LOT of delusions, some hallucinations, and you will also hear voices as symptoms of the mental illness. When you say you are “Feeling better”, it does not mean that you are ‘cured’. Honestly,…
  • Image of a woman in blue trousers and a blue shirt in distress with head in her knees
    How to Spot if Someone has Schizophrenia
    Dr R. Mangala, consultant psychiatrist, SCARF India describes early symptoms to recognize schizophrenia and emphasizes the importance of timely detection, intervention and treatment to minimize disability and improve chances of recovery. Swiss psychiatrist Eugen Bleuler describes schizophrenia as – “A slowly progressive deterioration of the entire personality, which involves mainly the affective life, and expresses itself in disorders of feeling, thought and conduct, and a tendency to withdraw…
  • Significance of Families in Better Outcomes of Schizophrenia
    Dr Mangala of SCARF (Schizophrenia Research Foundation) of Chennai shares wonderful case studies where friends and relatives have supported the person with schizophrenia empathetic and responsible caregiving. Plus 20 practical tips for caregivers.  The warmth and comfort we receive from a caring family member in times of distress, especially illness, often leaves us reflecting “What would I have done without him/her?" The presence of a loving relative by our side is far more reassuring…
  • Image of a man in T shirt and jeans with schizophrenia hearing voices, hallucinating
    I Hallucinated I Belonged to the British Royal Family
    A person with schizophrenia can start to lose normal thoughts as T.J.  had when he was diagnosed with schizophrenia at 26. The voices in his head, bouts of hallucination and aggression tormented him. He tried different psychiatrists till he found the right support and holistic care. Read on. My name is T.J . I am 36-years-old and I have schizophrenia. I live in Chennai. I was diagnosed with schizophrenia in 2006 when I was just 26. The following is my ordeal. I had a happy childhood like…
  • I am Bipolar. Will You Marry Me?
    Dr Avinash Joshi, a psychiatrist, has set up a marriage bureau for people with psychiatric and physical disabilities in the hope of providing them not just a soul mate, but also helping build a relationship on trust . You have started a marriage bureau for people with psychiatric and physical disabilities, the first of its kind in India. What spurred you to set up this unique initiative? I have set up a matchmaking site called, manomarriage.com for people with psychiatric and physical…
  • Caring for a Son with Autism and Schizophrenia
    It can be formidable task to raise a child with either autism or schizophrenia. But when the two come together, the challenge escalates. Deepak Srivastava, recounts how his wife grapples with his 22-year-old son, Soumitra’s impulsive aggression. Our second son, Soumitra, was born autistic. We did not realize it initially; it was only when his growth milestones like walking or talking were not being met that we sensed something wrong. His behaviour pattern too was odd. He would stare awkwardly…
  • I Could Not Weather The Storms That Inhabit My Son's Mind
    Mr Manuel, 82 shares the journey of his son Prabhu's schizophrenia diagnosis at 15, the societal exclusion after the diagnosis, finding solutions to cope and live. His biggest worry continues to be "Who will take care of him when I’m gone?"  Being the father of child who has a mental illness is one of the hardest and most painful situations that one has to reconcile with in their life. It doesn't go away, it cannot be wished or prayed away, it can only be accepted. My son has been living…
  • "I suffered, I recovered, I contribute meaningfully"
    An interview with Li Shan from Singapore who was diagnosed with Schizophrenia in 2008 and who published her book "A Philosopher's Madness" in 2012 and is now employed by NCSS to enhance opportunities for persons with mental health issues. Can you introduce yourself? I’m an administrator in mental health services planning and development who is trying, in my small way, to speak up for people with mental health problems, to share my lived experience, and to raise awareness of mental health.…
  • My Sister's Journey to Independence and Happiness
    "It is almost a miracle that my sister and I now behave like normal sisters in any other family -- fighting, sharing and laughing." A first person account of a sister caring for a sibling with schizophrenia. The Beginning of Hope When we came to SCARF, the Psychiatrist Dr. SK was the 10th doctor to whom we had come to in January 2014. We should have ideally met her some 16 years ago. Our journey had been a long one, with highs and lows, trials and tribulations, sometimes even thorny. But the…
  • 5 Signs of Relapse of Mental Illness
    Severe mental illness like Schizophrenia and Bipolar Disorder can get better with appropriate care. But when it begins to raise its disturbing head again in a person, it tends to have a few telltale signs. Tanya Dutt, founder of AtmaNirbhar explains how it is important for an employer to recognise and manage these situations at a workplace. Work is an important part of our lives and well being and is a key factor in the recovery of a person battling a mental health issue like Schizophrenia. For…