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Other symptoms of sz include a flattened affect, poor social and/or occupational/educational functioning, avolition, loss of pleasure, and poor self-care. Flattened affect means the person with sz shows little or no emotions. He could also show inappropriate emotions. The expressionless face is common in schizophrenia. Poor social and/or occupational/educational functioning means that that person is not working up to her potential in the areas of socializing, work, or school. Oftentimes, the person with sz does neither work nor school. This is NOT a sign of laziness. It is a sign that cognitively he cannot handle the rigors of school or work. Avolition is also a symptom of sz. This should also not be confused with laziness. Avolition is the lack of motivation to do things that a person once did or should be doing. If a person with sz lacks the motivation to go to the grocery store or get out of bed or off of the couch, this is avolition. Loss of pleasure is another sign of schizophrenia. One may no longer find reading, playing sports, or sex as pleasurable as it used to be. These activities may be stopped, leaving loved ones to wonder what the problem is. Poor self-care is the final symptom of sz. Showering, shaving, brushing teeth, and fixing meals may take a back seat to smoking and watching TV. It is important for the caregiver to recognize this while at the same time giving the person with sz some leniency. Of course, basic hygiene is a good thing, but showering and shaving every day may be a bit ambitious. Expectations should be tempered with the realization that the person with sz is probably going through hell.
One final criterion for the diagnosis of schizophrenia: the person must be symptomatic for at least 6 months. This does not mean that the person should not receive quality medical care during this "waiting period." And it does not mean that his pdoc will not treat the disorder as if it were schizophrenia. It does mean that you may not get the label of schizophrenia until that 6 months is up. A person who exhibits symptoms of schizophrenia but who has not fulfilled the 6-month criterion is usually diagnosed with schizophreniform disease. Consult your pdoc or clinical psychologist for an accurate diagnosis.
Which brings me to a great point to end this discussion. Always take the advice of a professional over that of a layperson. Laypersons do not deal with the disease in the same manner as professionals do. Professionals see many patients and a common thread among groups of those patients emerges to give them a better picture of what is going on with a particular individual. They also have the training to diagnose. That said, professionals can and have been wrong. If you have studied a particular disorder and disagree with the treatment plan of your professional, do not hesitate to get a second opinion. But also be prepared to live with that second opinion. |
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