Schizophrenia
Schizophrenia (schizophrenic disorders) as well as delusions, hallucinations and other perceptual disorders belong to the group of psychotic disorders. Schizophrenic disorders are characterized by disturbances in thinking and perception as well as inadequate or flattened emotions. As a rule, clarity of consciousness and intellectual abilities are not impaired, although disorders of thinking, attention and concentration can develop over time as a result of constant stress during the course of the illness.
The most important psychopathological symptoms and complaints are
- Becoming thoughtful
- Inspiration of thought or withdrawal of thought
- Spreading thoughts
- Thought starters
- Delusional perception
- Delusions of control and influence
- Voices that comment on or talk about the patient in the third person, i.e. acoustic hallucinations
- Persistent bizarre delusions, hallucinations
- Inadequate affects — mood and emotional behavior
- Thinking disorders and negative symptoms such as reduced drive, withdrawal behavior and other abnormalities.
Disorders similar to schizophrenia can also occur in epilepsy, other brain diseases or due to the effects of drugs (psychotropic substances) or medication, which must be clarified in detail as part of the diagnosis.
Taking a medical history is an important component in the diagnosis of schizophrenia. You should also answer the following questions:
- Are there frequent mental disorders in your family?
- Do you suffer from noisy thoughts?
- Do you receive thoughts from outside?
- Do you hear voices? Do these voices comment on your actions?
- Do you see things that other people can’t see?
- Do you have any pre-existing conditions (mental disorders)?
- What operations have you undergone so far?
- Do you have any allergies?
- What medication are you taking?
A neurological examination, including examination of the reflexes and cranial nerves, as well as comprehensive medical diagnostics form the basis for successful schizophrenia therapy in our “Neuropsychiatry Psychotherapy Center” in Hanover.