Catatonic type schizophrenia
Patients with this subtype of Schizophrenia may exhibit extremes
of behavior including catatonia. Some may allow their posture to
be rearranged, holding the new position (catalepsy or waxy flexibility). Others may imitate sounds (echolalia) or movements
(echopraxia) of others. At times, some patients may explode into
an excited, activated state marked by purposeless ad repetitive
movements.
The catatonic type is rare today, and probably reflected an
advanced stage of schizophrenia before the advent of modern
treatment methods.
Disorganized type schizophrenia
A form of schizophrenia that is characterized by a disorganized
behavior and disorganized speech. Their affect may be flat or
inappropriate.
This type involves a disturbance in behavior, communication, and
thought. Usually these patients show a variety of eccentric
characteristics such as unusual clothing or peculiar gestures.
Paranoid type schizophrenia
Delusions and auditory hallucinations predominate in patients with
this subtype of schizophrenia while their affective and cognitive
functioning remains relatively intact. This type of patient often has
highly elaborate delusions of persecution or personal grandeur.
However, the patient may appear rather normal until he or she
becomes entangled in typical argumentativeness and
suspiciousness.
Residual type schizophrenia
A form of schizophrenia that is characterized by a previous
diagnosis of schizophrenia, but no longer having any of the
prominent psychotic symptoms. There are some remaining
symptoms of the disorder however, such as eccentric behavior,
emotional blunting, illogical thinking, or social withdrawal.
In the residual type of schizophrenia, the patient has had at least
one episode of schizophrenia. If delusions or hallucinations are
present, they are not prominent, and are not accompanied by
strong affect.
Undifferentiated type schizophrenia
This subtype of schizophrenia applies to patients who fail to meet
the criteria for the other subtypes but clearly suffer from this
mental disorder.
The patient suffers from pronounced psychotic symptoms, which
may not fit in any other specific category or more than one.
For more information about schizophrenia, visit The Schizophrenia Info Center
David Chandler
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