Schizophrenia
Mood Disorder Self-Test
These checklists are adapted from:
The American Psychiatric Association: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition.
Washington, D.C. American Psychiatric Association, 1994
Mood Disorder Self-Test
Schizophrenia is a very misunderstood condition. It is not a split personality condition. It is a psychotic disorder, rather than a mood disorder, which means that there is a loss of contact with reality. It is caused by a different type of chemical imbalance than a mood disorder. Schizophrenia is a thought disorder where one loses the ability to tell what is real and what is imaginary. This disorder is a chemical imbalance in the orientation part of the brain but it can also affect the mood control center to cause mood symptoms as well.
Schizophrenia (or any psychotic breakdown) can be identified by the following behaviors:
- You feel either emotionally flat and withdrawn, or very excited and grandiose, and possibly hostile.
- You have poor verbal communication and your thoughts are disorganized and unconnected.
- You are suffering from delusional thinking. You believe things that are outside the realm of reality to be real (or true) despite a lack of evidence (often religiously related).
- You see or hear things that others can not.
- You feel like you are being watched or followed by individuals or organizations.
During the psychotic episode you loose touch with reality and are unable to perform your normal life functions. People with psychotic disorders are in need of immediate medical attention.
Psychotic illnesses have many complex symptoms that require professional evaluation in addition to these listed.
Schizophrenia usually begins in young adults like the other mood disorders. It affects two percent of the population, which makes it more common and far more disabling than diabetes. Like the mood disorders, it tends to be a recurring condition.
Schizophrenics often feel that they are being watched, followed or persecuted. They may hear voices and see things that no one else can. They often have peculiar beliefs that have no basis in reality. Schizophrenia is a more difficult condition to treat than the mood disorders, and the medications, called antipsychotics, tend to have more side effects. Antidepressants and mood stabilizers can also be used in schizophrenia if there are many depressive thoughts or wide mood swings along with the psychosis.
There are very helpful support groups for patients and families to encourage and inform those who suffer with this condition.
These checklists are adapted from:
The American Psychiatric Association: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition.
Washington, D.C. American Psychiatric Association, 1994
Depression
Anxiety
Mood Swings, Bipolar Disorder (Manic Depression)
Schizophrenia
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD)
For more information visit Dr. Mullen's:
Question and Answer pages: Dr. Mullen answers common mental health questions
These tests are for informational purposes only. They are not a diagnosis.
For a complete diagnosis, explanation, and treatment make an appointment to see your family doctor. Please read our disclaimer.
