Types of Schizophrenics

There are various types of schizophrenia, with paranoid schizophrenia being the most common. When a person is diagnosed with schizophrenia, the subtype (i.e., paranoid, catatonic) is classified once the characteristics associated with the disease have been identified. For example, if a person exhibits signs of hallucinations or delusions or feels that he is being sought after or that someone is out to get him, he would be diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia. Schizophrenia is not curable, but it can be treated.

Paranoid Schizophrenia

• Paranoid schizophrenia is marred by a state of awareness that is not real. According to the Mayo Clinic, people with paranoid schizophrenia experience delusions and auditory hallucinations (they hear things that don't exist). They function better than people with other types of schizophrenia; however, they also have higher suicidal tendencies. People with paranoid schizophrenia may exhibit signs of anger or anxiety, and they can become confrontational if they feel they are being persecuted. They may also be prone to violence and be verbally abusive.

Cataotonic Schizophrenia

• People with catatonic schizophrenia have no sense of reality. They may exhibit extreme behaviors. For example, one moment they won't want to speak, then at another time, they may try to mimic sounds of others, or become extremely hyperactive. According to the Mayo Clinic, states of catatonia are rare, and in many instances catatonic schizophrenia is usually the result of other mental illnesses. People with catatonic schizophrenia have a tendency to sit in rigid positions while staring blankly into space. In bizarre instances, such a person can have a limb moved into a position and then keep it in that state for hours. People with catatonic schizophrenia can become easily agitated and may have outbursts that seem to come from nowhere.

Disorganized Schizophrenia

• People with disorganized schizophrenia are unable to organize their thought processes. According to Michael Bengston, people with disorganized schizophrenia have delusions and hallucinations that are not as prominent as other schizophrenics. They cannot perform daily tasks, such as dressing or bathing. They may have a confused state of emotions. For example, they may not behave as a normal person would at a funeral. Instead of showing emotions of sadness, they may have outbursts of laughter. People with disorganized schizophrenia also have a tendency to not be able to communicate their words effectively.

Residual Schizophrenia

• People with residual schizophrenia have symptoms that are less pronounced than those with other types of schizophrenia. Hallucinations and delusions are still there, but the symptoms are not as severe as in cases of paranoid schizophrenia. People are diagnosed with residual schizophrenia only when they do not have severe symptoms.

Undifferentiated Schizophrenia

• This type of schizophrenia occurs when an individual exhibits forms of schizophrenia but the symptoms are not pronounced enough to be categorized into one specific subtype. A person who has undifferentiated schizophrenia may have the symptoms of one subtype of schizophrenia at one time and symptoms of another type at another time. These people can be completely stable in their daily lives but then can become erratic and hostile.

Treatment

• Schizophrenia can be a debilitating disease that afflicts not only the sufferer but family members as well. Seeking treatment is important to effectively manage the psychosis. Treatment can help manage daily routines, control outbursts and restore lives. In some instances, it may take time to find medications that work. It is important that, if you suffer from a type of schizophrenia, you work with your doctor to find a medication that works best for you and has the fewest side effects.