There are no laboratory tests to diagnose schizophrenia. Instead, a doctor will perform a physical evaluation, review your medical history, and may use various diagnostic tests, such as a blood test, MRI, or CT scan to rule out any other conditions.
Signs of early or first-episode psychosis
Hearing, seeing, tasting or believing things that others don't. Persistent, unusual thoughts or beliefs that can't be set aside regardless of what others believe. Strong and inappropriate emotions or no emotions at all. Withdrawing from family or friends.
Symptoms of psychosis
hallucinations – where a person hears, sees and, in some cases, feels, smells or tastes things that do not exist outside their mind but can feel very real to the person affected by them; a common hallucination is hearing voices.
Some brain tumors may cause psychotic symptoms that seem like schizophrenia. Likewise, people who've had a traumatic brain injury may have symptoms such as psychosis.
There's no test to positively diagnose psychosis. However, your GP will ask about your symptoms and possible causes. For example, they may ask you: whether you're taking any medicines.
People who have psychotic episodes are often unaware that their delusions or hallucinations are not real, which may lead them to feel frightened or distressed.
Psychosis is when people lose some contact with reality. This might involve seeing or hearing things that other people cannot see or hear (hallucinations) and believing things that are not actually true (delusions).
Psychosis can be very serious, regardless of what is causing the symptoms. The best outcomes result from immediate treatment, and when not treated psychosis can lead to illness, injuries, legal and financial difficulties, and even death.
Schizophrenia: A person has some psychotic symptoms for at least six months, with a significant decline in the ability to function. Schizophreniform disorder: A person has some psychotic symptoms for more than one month and less than six months.
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.
The signs of a psychotic disorder vary. Delusions, paranoia, visual and auditory hallucinations, and a general decline in the sufferer's ability to make decisions or otherwise get by in the world may all be signs that a person is going through a psychotic illnesses.
Typically, a psychotic break indicates the first onset of psychotic symptoms for a person or the sudden onset of psychotic symptoms after a period of remission. Symptoms may include delusional thoughts and beliefs, auditory and visual hallucinations, and paranoia.
People who experience psychosis are said to 'lose touch' with reality, which may involve seeing things, hearing voices or having delusions. These can be extremely frightening, or make someone feel confused or threatened.
People who have psychotic episodes are often totally unaware their behaviour is in any way strange or that their delusions or hallucinations are not real. They may recognise delusional or bizarre behaviour in others, but lack the self-awareness to recognise it in themselves.
A diagnosis of schizophrenia can sometimes follow a psychotic episode. However, schizophrenia has some additional symptoms as well as specific diagnostic criteria. A person can experience psychosis without having schizophrenia or another mental health disorder.
The onset of first episode psychosis typically presents when an individual is between the ages of 18-25, however, may present between the ages of 15-40. It is uncommon for first episode psychosis to present in childhood.
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.
Substance-induced psychosis (commonly known as toxic psychosis or drug-induced psychosis) is a form of psychosis that is attributed to substance use. It is a psychosis that results from the effects of chemicals or drugs, including those produced by the body itself.
An untreated episode of psychosis can result in structural brain damage due to neurotoxicity.
In fact, many medical experts today believe there is potential for all individuals to recover from psychosis, to some extent. Experiencing psychosis may feel like a nightmare, but being told your life is over after having your first episode is just as scary.
When a person is in a full-blown manic and psychotic episode, memory is greatly affected. In fact, it is rare for someone who is is a deep episode to remember all that happened. This is why it's called a blackout. The average person in this situation remembers maybe 50% in my experience.
Before an episode of psychosis begins, you will likely experience early warning signs. Warning signs can include depression, anxiety, feeling "different" or feeling like your thoughts have sped up or slowed down. These signs can be vague and hard to understand, especially in the first episode of psychosis.