Q: What kinds of things can a person say and do that might make a doctor notive schizophrenia symptoms?
Hi anna557,
A list of schizophrenia early warning signs exists however don't be so quick to label what's going on as different illnesses can share the same or similar symptoms. Schizoaffective is a combination of schizophrenia and a mood disorder like mania or depression, for example, and can be similar to bipolar. For this reason a diagnosis can change at a later date depending on the symptoms the patient is experiencing at that moment in time.
Symptoms have to persist for six months for a diagnosis of schizophrenia to be made. Only it is possible that with the right medication the symptoms will go away before the patient reaches the six-month mark so it's hard to rule out SZ even if the symptoms don't last six months. Which is what happened to me.
Support your daughter, tell her often that you love her and that you will work together with her to see that she can get some relief from her pain.
Like Donna said taking medication every day as prescribed creates the best possible recovery outcome. Your daughter can have a good life and go on to do great things even though she might have a mental illness, whatever the illness turns out to be.
I have SZ and I have a Masters degree and work two jobs and a third on the side. So there is hope and never give up hope for your daughter. At some point you might want to begin to dialogue with her about her wishes hopes and dreams for the future. Staying in treatment will enable her to achieve those goals.
Lastly: like I said you might not get the diagnosis you expected to hear from the psychiatrist. I wouldn't get hung up over the diagnosis, which can be a label yet is also a tool used to determine the best course of treatment the doctor feels is needed at this point in time.
Your daughter can recover. She can have a good life.
By the way, my mother came with me to my first psychiatrist session too.
Regards,
Christina
Do you mean "how is schizophrenia diagnosed"? Actually a psychiatrist usually observes/listens to a person during office visits over a period of months in order to diagnose schizophrenia. He doesn't see one symptom and say, "Aha -- she has schiozphrenia!" Schizophrenia may even be a number of different disorders all grouped under that heading because the symptoms range so widely. Some symptoms that might point to schizophrenia are hearing voices, having paranoid delusions, inability to express one's self normally because of disordered thinking, inability to read the emotions of others' faces, a flat affect (showing little or no emotion,) etc. You can find a list of the symptoms at this site.
The best thing you can do is attend the office visit with your daughter and tell the psychiatrist exactly what you have observed. And encourage your daughter to be honest with the doctor about things she is experiencing that she hasn't even told you. The doctor will likely ask whether there is mental illness in your family, past or present.
And then, if he prescribes medication for your daughter, make sure she takes it exactly as prescribed and doesn't just decide she doesn't need it. She may not understand right now WHY she needs it or even why you think she is ill. It may even be difficult for her to adjust to medication side effects, if any. But she must take the medication and even be willing to switch to another if this one doesn't work.
Obviously, you care deeply for your daughter. And I want you to know you are doing EXACTLY the right thing in getting her to a psychiatrist and get diagnosis and treatment as soon as possible. It may not be schizophrenia. Just be willing to work with the doctor to reach a diagnosis and treatment plan.
I can't tell from what you said but it sounds like she may already be seeing a psychiatrist. My mom used to go with me and talk to the doctor, even though I was in my late 30's, because I was really not in any shape to adequately express what was happening. Please continue to post here and let us know how it goes.
Thankyou, this was appreciated. We went in today, she likes her doctor and she told her about the voices in which the doctor was really concerned. She even told her what the voices said, and it really worried me because she never even told me what they said and they are not pleasant at all. She is going back next week, and wants to continue the therapy.My grandmother was Schizophrenic, and I just don't want my daughter going through those tough times.
Important:
We hope you find this general health information helpful. Please note however, that this Q&A is meant to support not replace the professional medical advice you receive from your doctor. No information in the Answers above is intended to diagnose or treat any condition. The views expressed in the Answers above belong to the individuals who posted them and do not necessarily reflect the views of Remedy Health Media. Remedy Health Media does not review or edit content posted by our community members, but reserves the right to remove any material it deems inappropriate.
Featuring Content From:
By using this service, you accept our Terms of Use. Please read them. The consumer health information on is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment for any medical conditions. You should promptly seek professional medical care if you have any concern about your health, and you should always consult your physician before starting a fitness regimen. Copyright © 2012 Remedy Health Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Thankyou very much, she wants to continue seeing her psychiatrist and I am hoping for the best.
The problem is she never talks to me anymore, today, the doctor said next week we can talk medication for her depression because it seems to be getting the better of her. Thankyou again