Brain scans and tests can also be used in the diagnostic process of schizophrenia, all of which are safe and noninvasive.
Although studies on volumetric magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) analysis in schizophrenia have shown relatively consistent results over several decades (7), diagnosing schizophrenia based on these findings is still challenging and has little clinical utility.
Most patients with a first episode of psychosis will receive a CT brain to rule out organic causes of schizophrenia.
There's no single test for schizophrenia and the condition is usually diagnosed after assessment by a specialist in mental health. If you're concerned you may be developing symptoms of schizophrenia, see a GP as soon as possible. The earlier schizophrenia is treated, the better.
At least one of the symptoms must be delusions, hallucinations, or disorganized speech. In determining a diagnosis, the doctor may order additional tests, including an MRI scan or blood test.
Brain scans alone cannot be used to diagnose a mental disorder, such as autism, anxiety, depression, schizophrenia, or bipolar disorder. In some cases, a brain scan might be used to rule out other medical illnesses, such as a tumor, that could cause symptoms similar to a mental disorder, such as depression.
Bipolar disorder.
People with bipolar disorder often have periods of being “up” or “on” when they're extremely energized or happy, then fall into periods of deep depression. Some people with severe bipolar disorder have delusions or hallucinations. That's why they may be misdiagnosed with schizophrenia.
In light of the above, MRI remains a sensitive imaging modality to detect lesions that are commonly associated with psychosis, including white matter diseases, brain tumors, and temporal lobe anomalies.
Most commonly though, people diagnosed with schizophrenia will hear multiple voices that are male, nasty, repetitive, commanding, and interactive, where the person can ask the voice a question and get some kind of answer.”
If imaging of the brain is needed in a patient with first-episode psychosis, an MRI should be preferred over a CT scan. This is because an MRI has much greater sensitivity for picking up brain pathology and because an MRI avoids exposure to ionizing radiation (Forbes and Stuckey, 2020).
Unfortunately, most people with schizophrenia are unaware that their symptoms are warning signs of a mental disorder. Their lives may be unraveling, yet they may believe that their experiences are normal. Or they may feel that they're blessed or cursed with special insights that others can't see.
The most common primary brain tumors are gliomas, and the most common neuropsychiatric symptoms caused by them are depression, anxiety disorder, schizophrenia-like psychosis, anorexia nervosa, or cognitive dysfunction.
In this early phase of schizophrenia, you may seem eccentric, unmotivated, emotionless, and reclusive to others. You may start to isolate yourself, begin neglecting your appearance, say peculiar things, and show a general indifference to life.
This finding is consistent with past research: Black Americans are more likely to be misdiagnosed with schizophrenia and prescribed antipsychotic medications (Gebeloff, 2001). The most prevalent explanation of this phenomenon is that clinicians overemphasize psychotic symptoms in Black people compared to other races.
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'.
Psychiatrists are the only medical specialists who rarely look at the organ they treat. The odds are that if a patient is having serious problems with feelings (e.g., depression), thoughts (e.g., schizophrenia), or behavior (e.g., violence), the psychiatrist will never order a brain scan.
You can request a brain scan, but usually a doctor won't recommend it unless you are showing "red flag" symptoms, like signs of a stroke or a head injury. The procedures are usually non-invasive, unless you need an IV for contrast dye, so they don't require much preparation.
The exact causes of schizophrenia are unknown. Research suggests a combination of physical, genetic, psychological and environmental factors can make a person more likely to develop the condition. Some people may be prone to schizophrenia, and a stressful or emotional life event might trigger a psychotic episode.
In most people with schizophrenia, symptoms generally start in the mid- to late 20s, though it can start later, up to the mid-30s. Schizophrenia is considered early onset when it starts before the age of 18. Onset of schizophrenia in children younger than age 13 is extremely rare.