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Disorganized Schizophrenia

The three cardinal signs of disorganized schizophrenia are: disorganized speech, disorganized behavior and flat, inappropriate affect (Ref.2).

There might be inappropriate laughter or silliness that is not really related to the content of speech. The inability to follow through on goal oriented behavior such as daily activities of getting dressed, preparing meals, taking a bath etc. can have consequences of having to be referred into a home with supervision. Apart from the flat affect there is also inappropriate grimacing and a peculiar sequence of mini behaviors called “mannerism” and other strange behaviors. This subtype of schizophrenia shows up with marked abnormalities on cognitive and neurophysiological tests. The long term prognosis, particularly when it starts early in life, is poor with a high percentage of patients ending up in hospitals or care homes.

This form of schizophrenia is considered more severe as it makes it impossible for patients to prepare meals, take care of their daily affairs and manage money responsibly. Because of their disorganized thinking and inappropriate behavior they tend to confront others, which becomes socially unacceptable.

 Disorganized Schizophrenia

Disorganized Schizophrenia

 

References:

1. Dr. David Burns: “Feeling good –The new mood therapy”, Avon    Books, New  York,1992.

2. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth    Edition, (DSM-IV),American Psychiatric Association,    Washington,DC,1994.

3. Dr. Shaila Misri at the 46th St. Paul’s Hosp. Cont. Educ. Conference,    November 2000, Vancouver/B.C./ Canada.

4. JM Loftis et al. J Neurochem 2000 Nov 75(5): 2040-2050.

5. B. Zilbergeld et al. “Hypnosis – Questions& Answers”, W.W. Norton    & Co, New York,1986: 307-312.

6. MH Erickson & EL Rossi:”Hypnotherapy, an exploratory casebook”,     Irvington Publishers Inc., New York, 1979: chapter 8, 314-363.

7. G Steketee et al. Compr Psychiatry 2001 Jan 42(1): 76-86.

8. DS Mennin et al. J Anxiety Disord 2000 July-Aug 14(4): 325- 343.

9. J Hartland: “Medical &Dental Hypnosis and its Clinical Applications”,     2nd edition, Bailliere Tindall,London,1982, page: 326-336.

Last modified: September 25, 2014

Disclaimer
This outline is only a teaching aid to patients and should stimulate you to ask the right questions when seeing your doctor. However, the responsibility of treatment stays in the hands of your doctor and you.