How can you tell when someone is showing signs of Schizophrenia vs. Paranoid Personality Disorder?
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The words "schizophrenia" and "Paranoid Personality Disorder" are simply a labels used to categorise lists of psychosocial traits that Psychiatry considers to be improper or abnormal in society. Psychiatry defines these traits as "mental illness", and promotes it as a "disease" that requires "treatment".\n\nIt is not a "disease", despite claims made in certain peoples answers here. There is NO credible scientific evidence that shows the existence of what constitutes "schizophrenia" as a biological/neurological disorder, brain abnormality or "chemical imbalance".\n\n"For a disease to exist there must be a tangible, objective physical abnormality that can be determined by a test such as, but not limited to, blood or urine test, X-Ray, brain scan or biopsy. All reputable doctors would agree: No physical abnormality, no disease. In psychiatry, no test or brain scan exists to prove that a 'mental disorder' is a physical disease. Disingenuous comparisons between physical and mental illness and medicine are simply part of psychiatry's orchestrated but fraudulent public relations and marketing campaign." Fred A. Baughman Jr., MD (Neurologist, Pediatric Neurology), & Fellow at the American Academy of Neurology.\n\n"Chemical imbalance…it’s a shorthand term really, it’s probably drug industry derived… We don’t have tests because to do it, you’d probably have to take a chunk of brain out of someone - not a good idea." Dr. Mark Graff, Chair of the Committee of Public Affairs for the American Psychiatric Association. July, 2005.\n\nSymptoms that psychiatry labels as "schizophrenia" (or it's related disorders), can stem from any number of variable sources. Many people have overcome disorders such as "bipolar" and "schizophrenia" through effective megavitamin therapy and effective nutrition. A growing wealth of evidence supports that underlying nutritional deficiencies can cause even the most severe mental disorders, including "schizophrenia". [1,2,3,4,5,6]\n\nYou may also be interested to know that the work undertaken by pioneers such as Dr. Lars Martensson and the late Dr. Loren Mosher show that there is also another way - far safer and more effective than psychiatric restraint, drugs and electro-shocks. For over a decade Loren R Mosher, MD, held a central position in American psychiatric research. He was the first Chief of the Center for Studies of Schizophrenia at the National Institute of Mental Health, 1969-1980. He founded the Schizophrenia Bulletin and for ten years he was its Editor-in-Chief. He also led the Soteria Project, which demonstrated that effective rehabilitation is possible without harmful antipsychotic drugs. Soteria provided a safe and sane environment where schizophrenic patients could stay, medication-free, with a young, nonprofessional staff trained to listen to and understand them and provide companionship. The idea was that schizophrenia can often be overcome with the help of meaningful relationships, rather than with drugs, and that such treatment would eventually lead to unquestionably healthier lives. The results were fantastic. Over just 6 weeks, patients recovered as quickly as those treated with medication in hospitals. [7,8]\n\nBottom line? Psychiatry is a belief-system, a "faith", not a science. Despite the huge marketing strategies, the so-called "research" and all the propaganda thrown at the world, there is not one iota of scientific evidence that proves that "schizophrenia" or ANY mental illness, in fact, exists as an actual --medical disease--.\n\nIf you have been told differently then know this: You have been lied to.\n\nFor more information, please visit:\n\nhttp://groups.msn.com/psychbusters\nDecoding Psychiatric Propaganda\n\nSee also http://www.alternativementalhealth.com/articles/default.htm#S\nand http
1026637
My shrink thought I have it but still deciding..... Sigh (I really would like to know or at least be able to be aware! There are A WHOLE WHOLE WHOLE lot of different types and options so you really cannot just say Schizophrenia.
906898
It sounds like your friend might be schizophrenic. I know people with this disorder and a common symptom are hearing voices and also being convinced that someone is after them. The only thing that helps schizophrenia is therapy and medication.
255785
The social worker who said that you cannot be considered psychotic if you know the voices are not real is incorrect.  I am a psychologist and I have studied psychosis extensively, and worked in two different state hospitals with many psychotic individuals.  Many people who are psychotic are very aware that the voices are not real, or are at least aware that other people think they are not real.  That person is still psychotic.  Psychosis describes a state in which someone's perception of reality is altered in some way, like if they hear voices or see things that no one else around them sees.  It can also describe a delusion, which is where someone is convinced of the truth of an issue despite evidence otherwise (example:  The CIA is after me and wants to kill my family).  What you described above sounds like psychosis, and psychosis is one symptom of Schizophrenia (although it can also be part of other disorders, like Bipolar).  Hope that helps.
1139942
Well, besides the above mentioned reasons, I can think of another one and I hope it's not it.  Schizophrenia has that symptom.  People usually start having symptoms of that starting in late teenage years through the 20's.  Are hearing voices involved?  Sometimes one feels that they've heard someone talk to them and there is no one there.  It's a scary disorder! Also- my brother is bi-polar and he suffers at times when he is in his manic state.  Go to the doctor, something is going on.
1036125
if any body suffers from schizophrenia, he will not be in the position of giving answer to you.schizophrenia is defined as functional psychoses characterized by apathy and social withdrawal.as per statistics, one out of every fifty persons born in the USA will be hospitalized with schizophrenia some time during his life.bleuler coined this word schizophrenia indicating splitting of personality. loss of contact  with reality, loss of control of drives and emotions living in fantasy world hallucinations and delusions are some of the symptoms.medicines prescribed by a qualified psychiatrist are to be used till it is completely eradicated.\nabout day to day activities, it depends in which stage a person is
690968
you do hear voices in your head when you have schizophrenia. My brother has it. You also have a lot of paranoia. It's like a break from reality, it's NOT multiple personality disorder. You might need to see a doctor.
960034
If the paranoia reaches delusional proportions then it's considered psychotic.  Since you're questioning it you don't seem to have reached a delusional state.  People with true delusions are completely convinced and do not question the reality of their false beliefs.  The hallucinations are a psychotic feature.  But do you also have auditory hallucinations (such as hearing voices)?  It's very unusual for a person with bipolar disorder to have purely visual hallucinations unless they are experiencing sleep deprivation for more than 3 days.  Extreme sleep deprivation can cause you to see things.  You need to get to your doctor ASAP.  You may need more medication or the addition of an antipsychotic to control these symptoms.
529907
this sounds like another name for schizophrenia-mental health comes out with more and more disorders eveyday.Hey,sorry I don't have it but why don't you talk to your counselor about it?
620862
You are not Schizophrenic.. you may be a person with Schizophrenia, however.  It's a disease like any other. If you take your meds everyday, you can keep your symptoms under control. You should have access to a community mental health center.  Check your phone book or call your Health Dept. to find the phone number. Your husband should find some information about the disease to better help you and to be more understanding of how it affects you.  Look online at www.nami.org for more info.
21524
Be kind to them and be patient with them.  People with schizophrenia are just people who are tormented by hallucinations which are caused by a chemical imbalance.  People with schizophrenia are very rarely violent people, although sadly that's what most people are mislead to think.
203114
Get a copy of the DSM-IV TR.  It explains the criteria.  In a nutshell....the person mostly meets criteria for schizophrenia, but also has symptoms of depression and/or bipolar disorder.
648287
First of all, I'm a mental health professional with 15 years experience.  I want to dispell one myth right now.  Shizophrenia has nothing to do with two personalities.  With that said, Multiple personality disorder or as it is also called DID, is a fairly rare condition that should only be diagnosed by a very experienced and qualified practitioner.
1059295
If a person remembers a traumatic event and hallucinates, it could be PTSD.  Most people don't know that hallucination is a symptom of PTSD.  There are a host of other symptoms that she would have to exhibit before she could meet this diagnosis.\nIf she is hearing voices and seeing people that aren't there, then there is a possibility that it could be schizophrenia.  But as said previously, most people with schizophrenia aren't symptomatic until late teens early 20s.  It is not unprecedented to have children or older people to develop schizophrenia.\nOr it could be the combination of the two.  The diathesis-stress model of mental illness teaches that people are predisposed to develop a mental illness, but may not have all of the symptoms.  Then, a traumatic event may occur, triggering the genetic predisposition, and "awakening" the mental illness.
14141
Schizophrenia can lead to a lot of things if not medicated...I would worry more if someone was smoking crack than if someone was diagnosed Schizo.  Schizophrenia is a very complex disease and is easily misdiagnosed.  There are lots of great medications that help with some schizoid symptoms.  I don't think murder is high on the list for those suffering from schizophrenia.
25716
well one of these signs might show that they arent telling the truth\n\n1- sweaty palm\n2- nervously\n3- twitching eyes\n4- do not dare to make eye contact while talking\n5- their hands doing other useless things\n6- sudden change of tone of their voice
398092
they start acting different or suddenly dont have time or is always busy. or starts hiding things. the person is very paranoid.