SCHIZOPHRENIA

High-Quality Services by the Agia Irini Psychiatric Clinic in Drama, with respect for the individual

The symptoms of schizophrenia adversely affect the organisation of thought, emotions, and behaviour, leading to a loss of communication skills and, consequently, a significant decline in functional capacity.
Schizophrenia typically emerges in late adolescence or early adulthood, with onset occurring somewhat later in women than in men.

 

 

 

 

Certain triggering events — such as military service, relocation, separation, loss of a loved one, or substance use — can precipitate the first episode of the disorder.
Its course usually includes:
  • a prodromal phase, marked by non-specific symptoms (such as sensitivity to noise, anxiety, fear, confusion),
  • an active phase, characterised by predominant delusions and hallucinations, and
  • a residual phase, in which social withdrawal, lack of motivation, apathy/indifference, or attenuated symptoms of the active phase prevail.
According to the American diagnostic classification system DSM-5, the core features and diagnostic criteria for schizophrenia include two or more of the following symptoms, each present for a significant portion of time during a one-month period (or less, if successfully treated).
At least one of these must be (1), (2), or (3):

 
  1. Delusions — irrational beliefs that cannot be corrected by logical reasoning. Depending on their content, they may be:
    • Persecutory: the person believes they are being targeted, persecuted, followed, or spied upon by others.
    • Grandiose: the person is convinced they have a special mission, such as saving the world, making a groundbreaking discovery, or delivering divine messages.
    • Jealous: dominated by thoughts and beliefs that their partner is unfaithful.
    • Ideas of reference: neutral stimuli are perceived as having personal meaning or intent — for example, believing that a song was played on the radio specifically for them.
    • Referential: believing that others are talking about them or gossiping about them.
    • Thought control or thought broadcasting: the person believes others can read their mind, control their actions, or implant thoughts.
  2. Hallucinations, most commonly auditory — such as hearing voices commenting, insulting, criticising, or giving commands — but also visual (seeing things that are not present) or tactile.
  3. Disorganised speech, such as frequent derailments or incoherence.
  4. Grossly disorganised or catatonic behaviour.
  5. Negative symptoms, such as diminished emotional expression, lack of motivation (avolition), social withdrawal, reduced speech content, or impaired thought processes.

 

For a significant portion of the time since the onset of the disturbance, one or more major areas of functioning — such as work, interpersonal relationships, or self-care — are markedly impaired.

The symptoms of the disorder must persist for at least six months, which must include at least one month of active-phase symptoms.
This six-month period may also include phases of prodromal or residual symptoms, during which the signs of the disorder may be limited to negative symptoms or to two or more attenuated forms of the characteristic symptoms — such as odd beliefs, unusual perceptual experiences, disorganised speech, or behaviour.

Treatment of Schizophrenia Pharmacological therapy:

Antipsychotic medications targeting primarily the positive symptoms (such as delusions, hallucinations, and disorganised behaviour);
benzodiazepines for the management of agitation, insomnia, and anxiety;
antidepressants (often beneficial when the criteria for a co-occurring depressive disorder are met);
as well as behavioural therapeutic techniques (e.g., positive/negative reinforcement, social skills training), among others.

At Agia Irini Psychiatric Clinic of Drama, We Care with Responsibility and True Dedication to Our Patients’ Well-being