Paranoid schizophrenia is a sub type of schizophrenia that causes a person to lose touch with reality. Different variations of schizophrenia are treated by mental health professionals, based on the symptoms that are present in a patient. In the case of paranoid schizophrenia, the primary symptoms are fear and paranoia. Read further to learn more about schizophrenia signs and symptoms.

Recognizing paranoid schizophrenia signs

The key to successfully treating this mental ailment that affects people living in a highly stressful modern world is to recognize the symptoms as soon as they present themselves.

If any of these two or more symptoms persist for 30 days or more, you need to visit a physician and discuss the possibility of being affected by the condition.

• The term paranoid schizophrenia is applicable with a person experiencing delusions, and hallucinations, and who hears voices in their head that result in feelings of fear.
• The age of a patient can be a deciding factor for schizophrenia diagnosis. In men and women, the schizophrenia signs show up by early or late 20’s. Schizophrenia rarely affects children or adults over 45.
• Hallucinations and losing touch with reality are also signs of drug abuse and one being under the influence of mind-altering drugs. If these symptoms present themselves in a loved one, try to eliminate the chances that your loved one has been abusing drugs before arriving at schizophrenia.
• It is complicated to diagnose schizophrenia in teenagers who are going through a rebellious phase. Symptoms that may present themselves in teens are the tendencies to withdraw from family, poor academic performance, and difficulty in expressing themselves verbally. Teens are also more likely to experience overwhelming hallucinations.
• Abnormal motor behavior such as unusual posture, and hand and eye movements are common and indicative paranoid schizophrenia signs. Making eye contact is difficult for people afflicted by this mental ailment.
• Disorganized speech and catatonic behavior are common signs. The affected individual may show emotional flatness, apathy, and lack of speech.

Despite the widespread notion, paranoid schizophrenia can be effectively managed with self-help strategies and support therapies.