Types of schizophrenia test
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Schizophrenia
Do I have schizophrenia? Take this schizophrenia quiz to see if you may benefit from diagnosis and treatment from a mental health professional
Medical ReviewerRandy Bressler, PsyD
Who Is This Schizophrenia Quiz For?
Below is a list of 10 questions designed for people who are concerned about schizophrenia. Read each question carefully, and indicate how often you have experienced the same or similar challenges.
If you have any been struggling for a month or more and those struggles have caused difficulties in functioning for the past six months, let your doctor know. This interactive quiz has been structured in a manner to allow for a short and simple self-assessment. The questions relate to life experiences common among people who have been diagnosed with schizophrenia and are based on criteria in the DSM-5.
How Accurate Is It?
This quiz is NOT a diagnostic tool. Mental health disorders can only be diagnosed by licensed healthcare professionals. Schizophrenia is a chronic brain disorder that is difficult to diagnose. Just over 1% of the US population is estimated to have schizophrenia.
Psycom believes assessments can be a valuable first step toward getting treatment. All too often people stop short of seeking help out of fear their concerns aren't legitimate or severe enough to warrant professional intervention.
Learn More About Schizophrenia
The American Psychiatric Association offers an in-depth guide to the disorder for patients and their families.
The National Alliance on Mental Health (NAMI) has an overview including symptoms, causes and treatment options.
Mental Health America offers some early warning signs of the disorder and contact info for The Schizophrenia & Psychosis Action Alliance (formerly called the National Schizophrenia Foundation) and National Institute of Mental Health, among other resources.
How to Get a Diagnosis
Schizophrenia can only be diagnosed by a medical doctor or mental health professional. A doctor may use tests like MRIs, CT scans or blood tests to check for physical causes for your symptoms. If those can be ruled out, a psychiatric evaluation will be given in which a health care professional will ask about the symptoms you are experiencing, as well as for a family medical history.
The diagnostic criteria for schizophrenia come from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), published by the American Psychiatric Association.
Your privacy is important to use. All results are completely anonymous.
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If you think you may have schizophrenia, Psycom strongly recommends that you seek help from a doctor in order to receive a proper diagnosis and support.
Schizophrenia FAQs
How do doctors test for schizophrenia?
There are no laboratory tests to diagnose schizophrenia.
Instead, a doctor will perform a physical evaluation, review your medical history, and may use various diagnostic tests, such as a blood test, MRI, or CT scan to rule out any other conditions. If there are no physical reasons for the symptoms, the individual is referred to a psychiatrist or psychologist, for further assessment. A diagnosis is made based on the symptoms the person is experienced and the psychiatrist’s observation of their behavior.
Is schizophrenia genetic?
Genetics are just one factor in the cause of schizophrenia. Doctors do not believe that one gene is responsible, but that it takes many genetic mutations to raise your chances of having the disorder. While schizophrenia does tend to run in families, it is possible for people with no family history of schizophrenia to be diagnosed with it themselves. Research suggests that a combination of genetic, physical, psychological, and environmental factors make it more likely to be diagnosed with schizophrenia.
What is the major difference between a diagnosis of schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder?
The main difference between schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder is the presence of a mood disorder.
For people with schizoaffective disorder, the mood disorder is a prominent and persistent part of their condition. People with schizophrenia may experience mood episodes, but the total duration of the mood symptoms is brief and psychotic symptoms are more frequently present.
What type of schizophrenia has the most favorable diagnosis?
The prognosis of schizophrenia is more dependent on the factors relating to the individual themselves, rather than the sub-type of schizophrenia they are diagnosed with. Research suggests multiple factors are associated with a more favorable prognosis: being female, rapid onset of symptoms, older age of first episode, and the presence of predominantly positive symptoms are all examples of such factors.
What co-morbid disorders can often accompany a diagnosis of schizophrenia?
Schizophrenia can co-occur with and be exacerbated by a variety of other mental health disorders including depression, anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder, substance use disorder, panic disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder.
Some studies have identified depression as the most common comorbidity to occur with Schizophrenia, with up to half of patients with Schizophrenia also experiencing depression.
What are the early signs of schizophrenia?
The most common early signs of schizophrenia may include social withdrawal, depression, hostility, oversleeping or insomnia, inability to cry or express joy, and deterioration of personal hygiene. The early stage of the schizophrenia is called ‘the prodromal phase’. It is difficult to diagnose schizophrenia during this early stage, as these symptoms could result from a number of other problems.
Can someone with schizophrenia live a normal life?
While schizophrenia cannot be cured, with the right treatment plan many people with schizophrenia can live relatively normal lives outside of a healthcare setting. The treatment must be ongoing for the person with schizophrenia to continue to live a productive, fulfilling life, including maintaining a job or socializing with friends and family.
At what age is schizophrenia diagnosed?
Schizophrenia usually develops after puberty, with most people being diagnosed with schizophrenia in their late teens to early 30s. The typical age of onset and diagnosis also varies between males and females. Males are more likely to be diagnosed in their late teens to early 20s, while females are more likely to be diagnosed in their late 20s to early 30s.
Can you see schizophrenia on a brain scan?
Brain scans cannot single-handedly reveal schizophrenia. Brain scans can help doctors to make the right diagnosis for a variety of mental health disorders, but they are not yet intricate enough to reliably diagnose mental health conditions on their own.
- National Institute of Mental Health. Schizophrenia. Accessed July 13, 2021.
- American Psychiatric Association. What is Schizophrenia? Accessed July 13, 2021.
- Buckley, P. F., Miller, B. J., Lehrer, D. S., & Castle, D. J. (2009). Psychiatric comorbidities and schizophrenia.
- Schizophrenia bulletin, 35(2), 383–402. https://doi.org/10.1093/schbul/sbn135. Accessed 4/11/2021.
Notes: This article was originally published June 16, 2021 and most recently updated January 26, 2022.
Schizophrenia Test
Medically reviewed by Tiffany Taft, PsyD — By Psych Central Staff — Updated on February 4, 2021
Schizophrenia is a chronic mental health condition that affects a person’s thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.
It’s characterized by several symptoms, the most common being hallucinations or delusions that have no connection to reality, but feel real to the person experiencing them.
This schizophrenia quiz is for anyone who wants to see if they may have symptoms commonly associated with schizophrenia or a related condition. It takes most people less than 2 minutes to complete and will provide instant results.
Instructions
Answer the questions below honestly based on how you currently feel or have felt in the past month.
This quiz cannot replace diagnosis by a healthcare provider. If you believe you have symptoms of schizophrenia or another condition after taking this test, reach out to a qualified healthcare professional for a full evaluation.
This online screening is not a diagnostic tool. Only a trained medical professional, like a doctor or mental health professional, can help you determine the next best steps for you.
Common symptoms of schizophrenia
You may be diagnosed with schizophrenia if you experience 2 or more of the following symptoms for at least 1 month:
- delusions
- hallucinations
- incoherent speech, or speech that quickly switches from topic to topic with no thread between them
- severely disorganized or catatonic behavior
- any of the negative symptoms of schizophrenia
Schizophrenia has two main types of symptoms: positive and negative.
Delusions and hallucinations are the main characteristics of schizophrenia.
These are positive symptoms.
A delusion is a fixed belief that doesn’t change, even when a person is given evidence the belief isn’t based in reality. An example of a delusion is that “everyone is out to get me.”
Hallucinations involve seeing, hearing, or feeling things that aren’t there. Examples include hearing voices that aren’t your own, or seeing people that aren’t actually in the room.
Hallucinations and delusions are called positive symptoms because they represent additional behaviors not generally seen in people without the condition. Negative symptoms can be seen as behaviors that are missing or underdeveloped.
Negative symptoms include:
- lack of emotional expression
- an inability to experience happiness
- difficulties planning or sticking with an activity like grocery shopping
- social withdrawal
Check out more about the symptoms of schizophrenia.
How is schizophrenia treated?
Schizophrenia is often managed with a combination of treatments, including medications and psychotherapy.
Symptoms of schizophrenia are often effectively treated with antipsychotic medications. Since there are many types of these drugs, you should reach out to your doctor about your options, their pros and cons, and how to manage any side effects that may occur.
Psychosocial treatment is also often recommended. This includes talk therapy and social skills training.
You may want to reach out to your doctor about programs in your area, and assistance in getting enrolled. Most insurance companies, if you have insurance, will cover some of these services.
Support groups can be another great way to get started and learn about additional resources. For example, the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) has a weekly support group for people with mental health conditions. You can find a group in your area on the NAMI homepage.
Learn more about the treatment options and approaches to schizophrenia.
What causes schizophrenia?
Schizophrenia is a complex mental health condition.
Its exact causes are unknown, but several things may play a role, including:
- genetics
- environmental triggers
- structural or chemical brain changes
- complications before or during birth
Most people develop schizophrenia in their late teens or early 30s.
Ready to start therapy? Our Find a Therapist resource may help.
Test for schizophrenia online, test for the definition of schizophrenia - Central Medical Center "Alliance" How prone are you to schizophrenia? An exact answer can only be obtained at a psychiatrist's consultation - make an appointment with a doctor to understand your mental state for sure.
If you're not sure it's time to seek medical help, take our quiz.
note
Test results are approximate, indicative. An experienced doctor can both confirm them and refute them. If you are concerned about your mental state, do not put off a visit to a psychotherapist or psychiatrist.
No. | Question | Yes | Not |
|---|---|---|---|
| one | I always have someone to meet and spend time with | Yes | Not |
| 2 | I believe that life is meaningless | Yes | Not |
| 3 | I don't usually ask for help when I'm doing a job. | Yes | Not |
| four | I often tell my friends: “I just had a wonderful time (spent) this time” | Yes | Not |
| 5 | I have a poor or unsatisfactory sex life | Yes | Not |
| 6 | Some people think I'm weird or crazy | Yes | Not |
| 7 | When others cry or laugh, I remain calm | Yes | Not |
| eight | Wherever I am (at home, on the street or in society), I am always deeply immersed in my thoughts | Yes | Not |
| 9 | I am indifferent to praise | Yes | Not |
| ten | I am never loving, affectionate or tender | Yes | Not |
| eleven | I do not like to work in a team and I am not suitable for such work | Yes | Not |
| 12 | I love life and enjoy it | Yes | Not |
| 13 | I find it difficult to congratulate people on their birthday, holiday or special date | Yes | Not |
| fourteen | If someone scolds me, humiliates me or does not appreciate me enough, I usually ignore it. | Yes | Not |
| fifteen | If someone offends or insults me, I know how to protect myself | Yes | Not |
| 16 | I don't have much success with the opposite sex | Yes | Not |
| 17 | I like spending holidays in the countryside | Yes | Not |
| eighteen | I would rather fail than struggle | Yes | Not |
| 19 | I'm fairly focused on myself | Yes | Not |
| twenty | I'm not interested in friendship and new acquaintances | Yes | Not |
| 21 | It's not easy for me to laugh or smile | Yes | Not |
| 22 | I don't like being part of my family, and I am unrestrained | Yes | Not |
| 23 | Attending the funeral of people I knew does not affect my emotional state | Yes | Not |
| 24 | I feel strong attachment to some people | Yes | Not |
| 25 | I know how my friends live, but they don't know much about me and how I live | Yes | Not |
| 26 | I prefer to do what I can do alone rather than work in a group | Yes | Not |
| 27 | I have few friends - fewer than fingers on one hand (or none at all) | Yes | Not |
| 28 | Sometimes I'm just too lazy to do my daily chores | Yes | Not |
| 29 | Most conversations bore me or seem boring. | Yes | Not |
| thirty | I absolutely do not want to get involved in someone or something | Yes | Not |
| 31 | It's hard for me to look into the eyes of others | Yes | Not |
| 32 | It takes a lot of effort for me to do my normal daily activities. | Yes | Not |
| 33 | I am full of energy and vitality | Yes | Not |
| 34 | I prefer to always remain unnoticed | Yes | Not |
| 35 | I remain indifferent to both good and bad news | Yes | Not |
| 36 | Sometimes I feel apathy | Yes | Not |
Symptoms of schizophrenia in women and men: How to identify by behavior
0002 Author of the article
Svetlana Bukharova,
Dietitian, fitness instructor
12 years of experience.
Diploma of Medical Education: DVS 1724848
Contents of the article
- How to identify a tendency to schizophrenia
- What is schizophrenia and what are its symptoms and signs in men
- How to understand that you have schizophrenia?
- How to identify a schizophrenic by behavior?
- Why does schizophrenia occur?
- Treatment of schizophrenia
- Resources
According to statistics, there are ten people living with schizophrenia per 1000 people. The disease is insidious in that at first it practically does not manifest itself in any way, but over the years it progresses. If you do not notice personality changes in time, then the finale will be deplorable.
In this article we will tell you what types of schizophrenia exist, how to identify the disease and why it is important to start treatment on time.
How to identify susceptibility to schizophrenia
There are many tests on the Internet that allow you to find out how prone a person is to mental disorders. But even if the test results showed a tendency to schizophrenia, this still does not mean anything. Diagnosis of schizophrenia is a rather laborious process that requires a psychiatrist or psychotherapist to understand the specific features of this disease.
The disease is insidious in that even physicians cannot always detect it at an early stage. The disease is not diagnosed by the usual methods - tests, CT, MRI and other studies. It is diagnosed by a psychiatrist on the basis of a conversation and observation according to certain criteria.
Diagnosis algorithms were developed at the beginning of the last century, but are still relevant today. But even if the patient has obvious schizophrenic symptoms, during the initial examination, only a preliminary diagnosis is made - psychosis.
A specialist can detect schizophrenia only with long-term observation of the patient.
What is schizophrenia and what are its symptoms and signs in men
Schizophrenia is, in simple words, a persistent mental disorder. It proceeds in a chronic form and can progress. Single attacks of the disease become more frequent over time.
Disorders characteristic of schizophrenia are characterized by the following symptoms: The patient is convinced that all his thoughts are heard by others. In addition, he does not see the consequent-logical connections, symbolic thinking turns on. For example, the patient chooses a bus not by number and direction of travel, but by the color that matches his clothes. It also loses the sense of time.
At the same time, a person does not see anything unusual in his behavior, and therefore it is important that relatives (family, friends) pay attention to the pathological condition in time and turn to a psychiatrist.
How do you know if you have schizophrenia?
Schizophrenia can take many forms. There are simple, catatonic hebephrenic, paranoid, sluggish types of the disease.
Let's dwell on each in more detail.
Simple
It begins in adolescence and is characterized by a sharp change in behavior and interests. From an active, sociable teenager doing well at school, the patient turns into a passive and withdrawn. Delusions and hallucinations appear sporadically.
Catatonic
Physically manifested as numbness, loss of the ability to speak. During an attack, the patient freezes in the position in which he was seconds before it began. This state can last from several minutes to several days. At the same time, the person has a clear consciousness, he remembers everything that happened during the attack. A period of stupor can be replaced by excitement: a person rushes about, makes senseless and aimless repetitive movements.
Hebephrenic
The main symptom of this form of schizophrenia is inappropriate behavior, hypersexuality. The patient behaves like a naughty child, while in conversation he can use obscene language, vulgar jokes, which are accompanied by incoherent speech and incomprehensible actions.
The disease proceeds continuously or paroxysmal.
Paranoid
Characterized by the continuous progress of the disease, delirium, hallucinations. The delusion is so real that the patient has not the slightest doubt that everything is really happening. Logic and thinking are unpredictable.
Sluggish schizophrenia
Characterized by a slow course and blurred symptoms.
Symptoms:
- disorders of mental activity, perception, paranoia;
- hysterical fits;
- defiant behavior and unreasonable mood swings;
- depersonalization: the patient does not feel like a person with his own will and thinking.
- dysmorphomania: seeking out and eliminating non-existent physical defects;
- unsteady gait;
- trembling of the limbs when agitated;
- phobias, anxiety, fatigue;
- sluggish schizophrenia is characterized by obsession, ritualism, abstract reflections, unmotivated fears.
How to identify a schizophrenic by behavior?
It has been proven that both women and men are equally affected by schizophrenia. However, there are some gender differences in the course of the disease.
Recognizing the signs of schizophrenia in women by behavior is quite simple. In the early stages, the disease manifests itself with the following symptoms:
- Obsession;
- Change of mood;
- Irritability, unreasonable aggression;
- Senseless actions: for example, a woman repeatedly wipes a chair before sitting down;
- Desire for pathological cleanliness, the desire to clean the house because of the belief that parasites, impurities, etc. are everywhere.
If relatives notice that a woman is in a depressed mood for a long time, neglects communication, tries to stay alone with herself, it is necessary to consult a doctor.
Pregnant women are susceptible to schizophrenia, the disease may also appear after childbirth.
So, a young mother refuses to accept a child, refuses her duties.
A distinctive feature of schizophrenia in men is the continuous course of the disease, while in women it is episodic.
Schizophrenia in men is manifested by the following signs:
- Duality. It manifests itself in behavior, emotions, actions. The man moves away from the family, is not interested in the life of loved ones.
- Change of mood. The patient may cry while watching a melodrama and immediately "explode" at the household for a statement that he did not like.
- Passionate state. Excessive emotionality, a sense of physical strength and the ability to "move mountains" is abruptly replaced by apathy, impotence, and depression.
As a rule, relatives associate all the above symptoms with fatigue, overwork, nervous strain, but not with the onset of schizophrenia.
They begin to sound the alarm only when there are already obvious signs of the disease, which were mentioned above.
Plus, in men, delusions manifest themselves in the form of delusions of persecution, delusions of relationships (a man is sure that those around him and his family condemn his appearance, “whistle” behind his back, fix his actions and movements), delusions of jealousy (based on an obsession, a man reproaches his spouse for infidelity, finding only signs that seem to be true to him.This is the so-called "Othello's syndrome".
Men with schizophrenia usually suffer from auditory hallucinations, while women also experience visual, tactile and olfactory hallucinations.
Why does schizophrenia occur?
According to psychiatrists, almost every person has prerequisites for illness. Complex relationships in the family, excessive criticism, overprotection, frequent conflicts, and stress lead to a breakdown in mental balance.
Until now, scientists have not established the exact causes of the disease. But the main factor is hereditary predisposition.
If both parents had an ailment, then in half the cases the child will also get sick.
Also referred to as provoking the development of the disease:
- consequences of viral infections: meningitis, encephalitis;
- alcoholism and drug addiction;
- severe emotional stress;
- children's psychological trauma.
Only a doctor can diagnose schizophrenia. Online services and popular Internet tests for schizophrenia cannot diagnose this complex disease. Moreover, such a diagnosis can only do harm, increasing anxiety in people with an unstable psyche.
Depression, psychosis, can be independent pathologies or precursors of schizophrenia, because the symptoms of these diseases are similar. Modern methods of diagnostics and treatment allow to achieve stable remission, the patient continues a full life. But this will require long-term observation by a group of doctors, often in a psychiatric clinic.
Treatment of schizophrenia
There is no cure for schizophrenia.
If the treatment is chosen correctly, then the prognosis will be favorable. The patient can live in a normal rhythm, work, have a family. At the same time, take medication regularly and visit a psychiatrist. With exacerbations, the patient can be admitted to the hospital.
The two main treatments for schizophrenia
- psychotherapy
- drug therapy
aim to reduce the frequency of seizures and prolong periods of stabilization of the mental state.
Antipsychotics (neuroleptics) are primarily used as medicines. They act on dopamine receptors and cope with hallucinations and delusions. They have a sedative, hypnotic and anti-anxiety effect, improve cognitive functions. Antipsychotics are taken for a long time, even during the period of stabilization.
Antipsychotics:
- Aminazine, Chlorpromazine
- Moditen depot, Fluphenazine
- Haloperidol, Senorm
- Perphenazine, Etaperazine
- Modern antipsychotics:
- Azaleprol, Clozasten, Clozapine
- Olanzapine, Egolanza
- Invega, Paliperidone, Trevicta
- Ketilept, Quetiapin
- Risperidone, Rispolept, Risset
- Zeldox
Sources
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ru Treatment of chronic schizophrenia in adults. Pösken J. - Elibrary.ru Cognitive impairment and the problem of social maladjustment in schizophrenia. Kobzova MP, Mental Health Research Center of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences.
- Cyberleninka.ru Gender differences in the development of schizophrenia. Bobrovnikova A.S., Tarasova S.Yu., Yakimova V.V.
- Cyberleninka.ru Clinical features of paranoid schizophrenia in women. Raev T.S.
- Elibrary.ru Psychological adaptation to the illness of women with the first bouts of schizophrenia. Khanko A.V., Kondyukhova T.N. Psychiatric hospital No. 1 named after. P.P. Kashchenko, Leningrad State University. A.S. Pushkin
- Elibrary.ru Pathological interests and hobbies in schizophrenia. Sergeev I.I., Malinochka S.A. Russian State Medical University, Moscow
- Elibrary.ru A method for diagnosing schizophrenia in men. Smirnov VK, Ovsyannikov SA, Shamov SA
- Elibrary.ru Treatment of sluggish schizophrenia.
