Types of Schizophrenia (Cont.)

Types of Schizophrenia: Disorganized Schizophrenia

People with this type of schizophrenia often have unusual thought processes. One dramatic form is disorganized thinking, where the person may have difficulty organizing thoughts or connecting them logically. Speech may be garbled or hard to understand. Another form is "thought blocking," where the person stops abruptly in the middle of a thought. When asked, the person may say it felt as if the thought had been taken out of his or her head. Finally, the individual might make up unintelligible words, or "neologisms."
 
A person with this type of schizophrenia also has disorganized behavior and flat or inappropriate affect (e.g., immobile facial expression, monotonous voice).
 

Types of Schizophrenia: Catatonic Schizophrenia

People with this type of schizophrenia can be clumsy and uncoordinated. They may also show involuntary movements, grimacing, or unusual mannerisms. They may repeat certain motions over and over or, in extreme cases, may become catatonic. Catatonia is a state of immobility and unresponsiveness that was more common when schizophrenia treatment was not available. Fortunately, catatonia is now rare.
 

Types of Schizophrenia: Residual Schizophrenia

Residual schizophrenia is a type of schizophrenia that can occur in people with long-term schizophrenia. In residual schizophrenia, a person no longer shows positive symptoms (hallucinations, delusions, disorganized speech, and grossly disorganized or catatonic behavior) but still shows negative symptoms.
 
These negative symptoms of schizophrenia can include:
 
  • Flat affect (e.g., immobile facial expression, monotonous voice)
  • Lack of pleasure in everyday life
  • Diminished ability to initiate and sustain planned activity
  • Speaking infrequently, even when forced to interact.
     
People with the residual type of schizophrenia often neglect basic hygiene and need help with everyday living activities.
 
(Types of Schizophrenia Continued: Page 3)

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Written by/reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD