Is it possible to mis diagnose a person as schizophrenic?
78980
Yes, it is possible to misdiagnose a person as schizophrenic. Not all schizophrenia is chronic schizophrenia (although, alas, most cases probably are chronic and long-lasting) An acute psychotic episode is where they had psychotic symptoms in reaction to a stressor and the symptoms went away with treatment. It is also possible that he had a depressive disorder of psychotic proportion that was misdiagnosed. Major depression is usually episodic so it might be that it remitted. Finally, it is possible that he used psychoactive drugs and it precipitated a psychotic episode (for example, amphetimines--speed--can cause amphetimine psychosis that mimics paranoid schizophrenia).\n\nIt is certainly possible to hide the symptoms, but not easy. Does anyone else in his family have a depressive or psychotic disorder?\n\nAsk him about it....
480446
I used to work with people with schizophrenia who were recently discharged from the state hospital and now I am a 4th year clinical psychology grad student.  I would love to give you some interesting (deidentified) cases, but I don't feel comfortable leaving my e-mail here.  You can contact me through my profile.
832497
Ever do drugs? \n\nI'd get a second opinion, if I were you...just in case. \n\nUnexplained mental problems are nothing to mess around with. This really is something that only a doctor should give you advice on, nobody here is qualified to give you a diagnosis regardless of their profession. It would be nothing but speculation and you really need to be checked out in person.
1081797
there is a global assessment test and the dsm, your orientation to reality or person place time and event as well as your ability to think  abstractly,reason, interpret reality, etc , alot of people with certain disorders can only deal with concrete thought, the assessments are comprehensive , the dsm, is a standardized dianostic tool based on certain criteria for each diagnosis, try doing a yahoo or google or wikipedia search on DSM for classifying mental ilnesses or going to  a pych site, you might be ablre to find a sample copy of questions used to assess one's mental status
206766
The DSM-IV (Psychology's diagnostic guide) has this as the diagnostic criteria:\nSchizophrenia\n\nA.  Characteristic symptoms:  Two (or more) of the following, each present for a significant portion of time during a 1-month perior (or less if successfully treated):\n   (1) delusions (beliefs/thoughts that seem real, but are not true)\n   (2) hallucinations (seeing, hearing, tasting, smelling, feeling things)\n   (3) disorganized speech\n   (4) grossly disorganized or catatonic behavior\n   (5) negative symptoms (i.e. affective flattening, alogia, or avolition)\n\nNote:  Only Criterion A symptom is required if delusions are bizarre or hallucinations consist of a voice keeping up a running commentary on the person's behavior or thoughts, or two or more voices convering with each other.\nB.  Social/occupational dysfunction:  For a significant portion of the time since the onset of the disturbance, one or more major areas of functioning such as work, interpersonal relations, or self-care are markedly below the level achieved prior to the onset\nC.  Duration:  Continuous signs of the disturbance persist for at least 6 months.  This 6-month period must include at least 1 month  of symptoms (less if successfully treated) that meet Criterion A and may include periods of prodromal or residual symptoms.  During these prodromal or residual periods, the signs of the disturbance may be manifested by only negative symptoms or two of more symptoms listed in Criterion A present in an attenuated form (i.e. odd beliefs, unusual perceptual experience).\nD.  Schizoaffective and Mood Disorder exclusion:  Schizoaffective Disorder and Mood Disorder with Psychotic Features have been ruled out\nE.  Substance/general medical condition exclusion:  The disturbance is not due to the direct physiological effects of a substnace or a general medical condition.\nF.  Relationship to a Pervasive Developmental Disorder:  If there is a history of Autism or other PDD, the addional diagnosis of Schizophrenia is made only if prominent delusions or hallucinations are also present for at least one month.\n\nThere are 5 types of schizophrenia:  Paranoid type, Disorganized type, Catatonic Type, and Undifferentiated type.
305868
Visions and hallucinations do not come from God- they come from a chemical imbalance in the brain.  Not knowing the exact circumstances, I'm going to throw out a few ways to get this person help (I appreciate the confidentiality issue).\n\nThe first thing is, has this person ever been diagnosed?  If he/she has, then he/she probably has a diagnosis of a formal thought disorder, such as schizophrenia, or bipolar or depression with psychotic features.  As such, they should have been proscribed an antipsychotic drug of some sort.  As they are not on any pharmacological agent, then I must assume they have either stopped taking the medication or, have never been to a psychiatrist.\n\nIf they have never been to a psychiatrist, then they need to go.  If they have stopped taking their meds, they need to start again.\n\nThis is easier said than done.  See if you can't reason with them.  Try to get them to either go to the doctor or taking their meds (whatever the case may be) as a favor to you.  Or to God.  Or whatever.\n\nWhatever you do, do not challenge the hallucinatiions.  This is only going to put the person on the defensive, and push them even farther into delusional thinking.  Instead, listen to what they are saying, but don't respond to the literel or logical content, respond to the emotion.  Empathize with the emotional content of the hallucination.  Try to "get inside their world," and find whatever reality based bit you can, and work off of that to help lead them back into the real world.\n\nThis is going to be near impossible without meds.\n\nYou mentioned "brain-washing."  If this person is in a destructive cult, then the best thing to do would be to be supportive of that person.  Let them know that you are there for them.  Depending on what has happened with this person, you may be able to take legal action - check with a lawyer or the police.  However, do not call a "deprogrammer"- they are as bad as the cultists they try to "save" people from.  Plus, it's basically kidnapping.  Whatever the type of religion this person is involved in, you're right, you can not restrict their ability to practice that religion.\n\nIf the person is a danger to themselves or others, you may have no other recourse but to put them into a mental institution.  This can be done, against their will, in most states.  It may be the best thing you can do.
123018
if u have or are losing touch with reality,  or are showing signs of talking to someone in the room  but noone is there (this can be a mild start)  if it seems to be worsening ones behaviors,   or one does things he or she might not have done before,,,for example   self mutilation, hurting pets, scatching other  hurting siblings,  and talking to them like they are someone or something else,,,,schizophrenia has many signs that lead to a big blow up of the illness,   but w treatment early on this can be slowed down, and they can even lead descent lives again when meds are adjusted correctly......good luck deary, im sure u will get many more great answers.....dilusional and fantasy world are also part of this illness!
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.
36634
The word "schizophrenia" is simply a label used to categorise a list of psychosocial traits that Psychiatry considers to be improper or abnormal in society. Psychiatry defines these traits as a "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
581768
A simple test for a nervous breakdown at the onset is to check the peripheral vision. The eye will see only a small view in front of the patient. It is hard to ask a patient if they are in a fog. Those on all drugs know their brain is in a fog. Mental ability in school is easily affected by street drugs. I don't know if we should use that terminology for mental disorder. Lets call it non-biological mental interference okay?
683271
Yes, if your relative was not diagnosed correctly, there are anti-depressants which can cause hallucinations for people with particular disorders. I would trust no one except a psychiatrist to do an evaluation now.
432922
just try to read this site and brief it , it is really nice:-\nhttp://www.helpguide.org/mental/schizophrenia_symptom.htm
517050
Schizophrenia is a psychiatric diagnosis that describes a mental disorder characterized by impairments in the perception or expression of reality and by significant social or occupational dysfunction. A person experiencing untreated schizophrenia is typically characterized as demonstrating disorganized thinking, and as experiencing delusions or auditory hallucinations. Although the disorder is primarily thought to affect cognition, it can also contribute to chronic problems with behavior and emotion. Due to the many possible combinations of symptoms, there is ongoing and heated debate about whether the diagnosis necessarily or adequately describes a disorder, or alternatively whether it might represent a number of disorders. For this reason, Eugen Bleuler deliberately called the disease "the schizophrenias", plural, when he coined the present name.
198093
The World Health Organization has identified Schizophrenia as one of the ten most debilitating diseases affecting human beings. \n\nSchizophrenia is a devastating brain disorder that affects approximately 2.2 million American adults, or 1.1 percent of the population age 18 and older. Schizophrenia interferes with a person's ability to think clearly, to distinguish reality from fantasy, to manage emotions, make decisions, and relate to others.\n\nAnother serious thought disorder is Schizoaffective Disorder. The symptoms of Schizoaffective Disorder look like a mixture of two kinds of major mental illnesses - mood disorders (depression, bipolar disorder) and schizophrenia.\n\nWhile there is no cure for Schizophrenia or Schizoaffective Disorder, they are highly treatable and manageable illnesses. However, people may stop treatment because of medication side effects, disorganized thinking, or because they feel the medication is no longer working.\n\nStigma is another major problem facing both the sufferer and family members. Those involved with schizophrenia are concerned about the dozens of misconceptions about the illness. Many believe that people with schizophrenia are violent and dangerous, which is not true. One parent stated that he was often accused of abandoning his daughter when he took her to the hospital. Another parent said that clerks in stores ignored her son when he asked for help or tried to make a purchase. Some religious groups hold the view that the illness is one of God's punishments.\n\nIf you think you or a family member have a thought disorder, you should seek information and treatment. At HealthyPlace.com, we believe that the more you understand about Schizophrenia and Schizoaffective Disorder and issues like antipsychotic medications, the more likely you are to get the full benefit of treatment. We want to help you learn as much as you can about Schizophrenia and Schizoaffective Disorder and to offer you support in your or your loved one's recovery.
483601
Intelligence is not used to classify sanity ro insanity.\n\nThe primary characteristic of an insane person is that they are unable to distinguish what is or is not part of physical reality.\n\nSchizophrenia, for example, is a mental illness in which the individual cannot distinguish between voices heard or conspiricies imagined and the real world as it is.  At a very specific point this individual is not merely suspicious and a loner, but insane because unable to distinguish between the imagination and reality.  With schizophrenia there are also specific, obvious physiological changes (especially to the individual's metabolism and glandular functions).  There are TREATMENTS but no cures for this disease.\n\nAnother form of insanity involves psychopathic behavior,a person who does not recognize right and wrong and treats morality as a game.  Psychopaths do not hallucinate but have no sense of right or wrong and are cunning at pretending to be sane.  A psychopathic illness can be INDUCED by trauma to the frontal lobe.  There is a strong connection between childhood bedwetting and firestarting and cruelty to animals and psychopathic personality.  See also http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psychopath \n\nBoth Schizophrenia and psychopathic disorders are INCURABLE.
383994
Please consult a psyc.
515189
It would be unethical for a psychiatrist to not tell you your diagnosis. What meds are you on? Based on what you said, you may have schizophrenia or bipolar with psychotic features. It's rare to have both Bipolar and Schizophrenia, as many symptoms overlap. However, if many people are telling you this and you generally trust them, then they are probably correct. Maybe see another psychiatrist and psychologist for a second opinion. Those disorders are largely neurologically based, so take the meds!