When doctors pronounce the diagnosis “febrile schizophrenia”, then at that moment many people experience terrifying emotions. It is not just that horror appears in the eyes of these people, since schizophrenia is one of the most severe mental disorders. But do not despair, because in the modern world there are many methods that can translate this disease into remission, which will allow a person to live a normal life. From this article you will learn about the features of this diagnosis, as well as how to deal with it.
What it is?
Febrile schizophrenia (or, as it is also called hypertoxic) is a severe mental disorder that has a distinctive feature: fever up to 40 degrees. This form of the disease is quite rare.
Doctors also previously called such a form “lethal schizophrenia”, due to the fact that disturbances in somatic processes occur, which subsequently leads to death. But a fatal outcome is possible only if there was no adequate treatment. If untreated, death occurs within 1 to 2 weeks.
Mostly pathology manifests itself in adolescence or young age. Such schizophrenia is less common in men than in women.
Symptoms
In order to recognize this kind of disease, it is necessary to trace the entire line of human behavior. Very often, this form of schizophrenia is confused with delirium, which appears against a background of high temperature due to flu or other viral illness. Such a fatal error can cost a human life. Therefore, the following is a list of the most distinct symptoms of febrile schizophrenia:
- Heat. This temperature cannot be brought down with antipyretic agents. In the morning it rises, and in the late afternoon it decreases and has a long manifestation time. Therefore, due to the similarity in symptoms with inflammatory processes, doctors can prescribe antibacterial or anti-inflammatory drugs, which, of course, will not give anyone an effect.
- Catatonic stupor or agitation. These conditions are described in more detail below.
- Skin rashes. This is due to the fragility of the vessels.
- Fantasy or nonsense.
- Dry lips.
- In the language of plaque.
- Feverish gleam in the eyes.
Onyroid Catatonia
This form of catatonia is very often observed with febrile schizophrenia. It manifests itself quite suddenly and can last several hours. It starts with psychomotor agitation. Typical symptoms of this condition will be:
- During excitement, manic traits appear (fun, torn speech).
- Quick change of behavior (facial expressions, motor skills);
- Behaviors and experiences are not consistent with each other. The experiences are saturated.
- Reality is quickly replaced by fictional situations.
- A person suffering from this disease perceives himself as the main character in his fictional events.
- Increased confusion.
- Quick change of mood and emotions.
- A person is either too excited or is in a stupor. Such a stupor is manifested in the form of maintaining an unnatural posture and this continues for a long time.
After leaving this state, a person retains all those fantastic experiences that he experienced.
Native Arousal
Sometimes it happens that oneiric catatonia can develop into amenative arousal (catatonic). This condition in schizophrenia is a disorder of consciousness and perception of the world in humans. It manifests itself with the following symptoms:
- A person cannot catch the connection between objects.
- There is a disorientation in time, space and even self.
- The incoherence of speech. Pronounces only a set of words that are not related to each other.
- Confusion.
- Movements are mostly limited. A person constantly lies, while bending in every way, shudders, rotates and “throws out” his legs and arms.
- Sometimes the movements take on a different character. A man tugs at anything that comes to his arm.
- Facial expressions are constantly changing.
- Constant movements can be replaced by stupor.
- Almost no contact.
- A person often refuses food, due to which he loses weight.
- Also, body temperature reaches 40 degrees.
- Due to the increased temperature, the skin becomes yellow and bruises appear.
Catatonic agitation is often accompanied by aggression. People with bipolar disorder usually suffer from these symptoms. Also for a person with such a disease, such unnatural postures are characteristic:
- symptom of a hood - a person takes the pose of an embryo, wrapping his head in a robe or hood;
- proboscis symptom - when a person uses primitive reflexes (grasping and sucking);
- symptom of an air cushion - a person's head is constantly raised, as if it rests on a pillow.
After a person has come out of such a state, he does not remember anything that happened to him.
Hyperkinetic arousal
It is rare, but it happens that amethitic agitation is replaced by hyperkinetic. The condition of such a person is very serious. Febrile schizophrenia with hyperkinetic arousal has the following symptoms:
- Sudden unfocused movements.
- Screams.
- A meaningless escape from anyone or anything.
- The skin is pale.
- Frequent diarrhea.
- Panic fear.
- Possible inhibition or complete stupor.
- Fever.
After such an attack, amnesia occurs.
Causes
Any form of schizophrenia is hereditary in the form of a pathogenic gene. Pathology can be hidden and not manifest until the end of life if there is a favorable living environment for a person. The following are factors that can trigger schizophrenia in men and women:
- Social. These include: stress, poor family relationships, big cities.
- Drug use.
- All kinds of brain damage.
The reasons for the occurrence of such schizophrenia today are not fully understood, so it will be more accurate to say that as a result of the interaction of traumatic situations and genetic factors, this disorder occurs.
Diagnostics
It is important to remember that not all symptoms of febrile schizophrenia exactly point to it. For example, the manifestations characteristic of this form of the disease can be caused by organic brain damage, alcohol and medications. They can also be a manifestation of bipolar personality disorder and signs of depression. Therefore, it is very important to conduct a complete diagnosis of a person.
Diagnosis of febrile schizophrenia is possible only after all possible research methods. Such as:
- Preliminary psychiatric assessment. A psychiatrist is required to ask special questions about the life of a person and his close friends and relatives.
- Family history. Since schizophrenia is genetic in nature, in order to make sure the diagnosis is correct, you need to conduct a survey of relatives - did someone from their family suffer from similar mental disorders, etc.
- General diagnostics. In order to exclude other diagnoses, you need to conduct a general study (MRI of the brain, etc.).
- Diagnosis of schizophrenia can only be carried out if two or more symptoms have appeared in the last month.
Treatment
In medical essays there are no such cases that a person has undergone schizophrenia. But you can make it so that it does not have any manifestations. Treatment of febrile schizophrenia should only be in stationary mode. Usually, doctors prescribe antipsychotics (Fluanxolum, Moditen Depot, Fluspirilen, Etaperazin, Risperidone, etc.) for this disease. These drugs saved a lot of people from the previously called "lethal schizophrenia." Depending on the severity of the course of the disease, the dose of the drug can be increased to the maximum value.
Such treatment lasts for 2 to 4 months. Without fail, the course of therapy should be continuous, as otherwise the person's condition may worsen.
In rare cases, a different treatment method is prescribed if the following symptoms are observed:
- body temperature is also high;
- tachycardia;
- stun
- decline in muscle tone.
If the above method does not help, then electroconvulsive therapy is prescribed. Many people associate this method with electric shock torture. Therefore, relatives because of such stereotypes in every possible way refuse such treatment and even try to condemn doctors. In order not to suffer, specialists are forced to resort to another treatment, which often does not help from febrile schizophrenia, which, unfortunately, leads to death.
But ECT is the most effective treatment for many diseases. It is carried out with a different frequency of sessions. When an exacerbation occurs, ECT is applied daily. But after the temperature drops and the mental state improves, such sessions are less common.
The use of vitamins C and B and the use of hormonal and antihistamine medicines are also prescribed. To prevent cerebral edema, experts prescribe diuretics. If a person is exhausted, intravenous injections with vitamin and nutrient solutions are prescribed.
It is strictly forbidden to treat at home, as a fatal outcome will be inevitable. Medical assistance is needed to restore the functions of metabolism, kidneys, liver, heart and the prevention of cerebral edema.
Effects
If you do not pay attention to the symptoms of febrile schizophrenia and do not apply treatment, then this can negatively affect both the person himself and people close to him. Some of the consequences of this disease are listed below:
- relationship problem;
- separation from the routine;
- excessive alcohol consumption and drug addiction;
- suicidal tendency.
Forecasts
Pathologies such as schizophrenia and bipolar personality disorder, the symptoms and signs of these serious diseases are very clearly manifested even in the early stages, very often proceed relatively favorably and can be easily treated with psychotropic drugs. You can achieve a stable remission.
Also, febrile schizophrenia has more favorable prognoses for development in a fairly mature age or in traumatic situations. Persistent remission can be achieved by those people who successfully work and study, have a good level of intelligence, are socially adapted and active, they are characterized by stress resistance and adaptability to any situation. Therefore, all these factors can predict successful rehabilitation, which may not lead to relapse.
Gradual development of the disease and delayed treatment can lead to poor forecasts. It is believed that the most important factor that can affect the success of curing febrile schizophrenia is the timely initiation of treatment and the intensity of social and rehabilitation measures.
Prevention
In order to prevent the occurrence of schizophrenia, an annual psychiatric commission is held. But also for the prevention of this and other diseases, you need to adhere to the following measures:
- physical and mental activity;
- acceptance of one’s personality;
- reduce alcohol consumption;
- learn to manage stress;
- provide yourself with the opportunity to pronounce;
- spiritual and creative activity;
- active social participation;
- the acquisition of new skills.