In everyday slang, pathological jealousy are called paranoiacs, and strange people are called schizophrenics. Although these are serious diagnoses that only a psychiatrist can make. And sometimes the doctor has to make a diagnosis of "paranoid schizophrenia." In general, this subspecies of the disease is so different from others that some experts doubt whether this variety can be considered schizophrenia itself.
What is the difference between the disease "paranoid schizophrenia" from other forms? The fact that the patient’s thinking with this form remains intact is, of course, biased and rigid, but such people have a high coefficient of intelligence, and it does not decrease with the next attack of the disease, as happens with “ordinary” schizophrenia. Emotional manifestations also remain vivid, the disease does not smooth out the emotions of such a patient, does not immerse him in forced loneliness, people with a diagnosis of “paranoid schizophrenia” are prone to suspicion, but are generally sociable. Although the information received during communication is inclined to interpret one-sidedly, it is biased.
How does paranoid schizophrenia manifest ? Symptoms may be general, characteristic not only of this disease, for example, anxiety, a tendency to violence, anger, suicidal thoughts. But there are signs that clearly distinguish the diseased - this is delirium and hallucinations.
Delirium, as a rule, is that the patient thinks that someone wants to harm him. “Guilty” can be the government, family members, or Masons. Now you understand where the legs of conspiracy theories come from? So when talking about global conspiracies, you can twist a finger at the temple. Mentally. Because paranoid schizophrenics may suspect you of something, and they are prone to violence.
Most often there are ideas that the government monitors every step of the patient and that there will not be any ceremony - the person is simply eliminated. In fact, it is not so easy to distinguish between real and fictitious persecution, because patients preserve logic. And it is difficult for a healthy person to figure out who is right. For example, an opposition director in a hospital claims to have been put there for "bad behavior." It is not so easy to understand the situation, because political repression using psychiatrists was widely practiced in the Soviet Union.
Much clearer is the second characteristic feature - hallucinations. They are usually “voices” heard only by patients. The latter are usually unpleasant, sometimes they comment on the patient’s behavior, sometimes they talk among themselves. Often severely denounce various shortcomings of the patient. Votes can also command. Including give the order to harm yourself or others. Therefore, such patients can even be considered dangerous under certain conditions. The problem is that patients cannot distinguish hallucinations from reality, especially if they are not only auditory, but also visual.
At the beginning of the disease, thinking is safe, but over time it becomes torn, the disease takes over. Although this process is slower than with other forms. In patients with a diagnosis of "paranoid schizophrenia" often the processes of concentration are not disturbed, attention remains at a good level.
Many patients are quite capable of continuing professional activity, especially if it is not associated with close interaction between people. For example, bookkeeping or programming.
Do not let the diagnosis get between you and people. And it doesn’t matter if you are a patient, a patient’s friend or relative. Remember - you can’t throw away diagnoses if you are not a psychiatrist with extensive experience. And the psychiatrists themselves usually do not make decisions alone. Be careful and take care of yourself and loved ones.