How do you diagnose schizophrenia?

i work in the mental health field and have always been interested in what the signs are in early diagnosis.

Excellent info at:

http://www.nimh.nih.gov/publicat/schizop...

Schizophrenia is characterized by at least 2 of the following symptoms, for at least one month:

* Delusions
* Hallucinations
* Disorganized speech (e.g., frequent derailment or incoherence)
* Grossly disorganized or catatonic behavior
* Negative symptoms (e.g., a "flattening" of one's emotions, alogia, avolition; see below)

(Only one symptom is required if delusions are bizarre or hallucinations consist of a voice keeping up a running commentary on the person's behavior or thoughts, or two or more voices conversing with each other.)

For a significant portion of the time since the onset of the disturbance, one or more major areas of functioning such as work, interpersonal relations, or self-care are markedly below the level achieved prior to the onset (or when the onset is in childhood or adolescence, failure to achieve expected level of interpersonal, academic, or occupational achievement).

Schizoaffective Disorder and Mood Disorder With Psychotic Features have been considered as alternative explanations for the symptoms and have been ruled out. The disturbance must also not be due to the direct physiological effects of use or abuse of a substance (e.g., alcohol, drugs, medications) or a general medical condition.

If there is a history of Autistic Disorder or another Pervasive Developmental Disorder, the additional diagnosis of Schizophrenia is made only if prominent delusions or hallucinations are also present for at least a month (or less if successfully treated).
Different Types of Schizophrenia:
Paranoid schizophrenia a person feels extremely suspicious, persecuted, grandiose, or experiences a combination of these emotions.

Disorganized schizophrenia a person is often incoherent but may not have delusions.

Catatonic schizophrenia a person is withdrawn, mute, negative and often assumes very unusual postures.

Residual schizophrenia a person is no longer delusion or hallucinating, but has no motivation or interest in life. These symptoms can be most devastating.

Positive Symptoms

Negative Symptoms

* Delusions
* Hallucinations
* Disorganized thinking
* Agitation

* Lack of drive or initiative
* Social withdrawal
* Apathy
* Emotional unresponsiveness
As far as symptoms are concerned, try checking the DSM-IV-R; otherwise any Abnormal Psychology textbook should give listings of signs and symptoms. Hope this helps!
my sister has it and it is totally awful, she got depressed when she was only 13 and developed this terrible disease when she was only 18, she thinks everyone is stalking her and you know what i just cant go on talking about the symptoms as i could write a book!
diagnosis is usually based on several criteria listed in the IC10 it should be located on all mental health wards and good bookshops.
you are afraid you have it, right?
They are compulsive liars that really believe that lies are the truth. I had a friend that told me he was in the army for nine years he was a master sergeant. I rented this man a room in my home. One night he got totally trashed. I was sitting on my couch and had a friend over all of a sudden he is standing in front of me with a shotgun at my head. I stood up and told him to put it away. He pushed me down and walked away. I called 911 from my cordless phone and got out of the house. Next thing I know there are 15 police officers there and they had to evacuate my neighbors so they wouldn't get shot if he decided to shoot. 45 minutes later and after shutting off the sub that i lived in they got him out of the house. I was scared to death. Well he went to jail and guess what he was never in the military and come to find out he was a habitual criminal that had served time. Don't get to close to a psycho schizo you will be sorry. You never know what they are thinking. Do yourself a favor and listen.