Residual schizophrenia is a milder form of schizophrenia that can persist after a psychotic episode, with low-level negative symptoms such as depression and disinterest. Treatment options include medication and psychotherapy. A thorough evaluation by a psychiatrist is needed for diagnosis.
Residual schizophrenia is a mild form of schizophrenia that can persist for a year or more after a psychotic episode. The patient still experiences some symptoms of the most severe form of this mental health condition, but does not experience total disorganization or a complete disruption of daily life. There are treatments available for residual schizophrenia, including medication and psychotherapy. Some patients recover well after an adjustment period.
To be diagnosed with schizophrenia, patients generally must experience a combination of delusions, hallucinations, disorganized behavior, flattened affect, and disorganized speech. If the hallucinations or delusions are severe, this may be sufficient for a diagnosis. When the symptoms of schizophrenia are intense, the patient is said to be having a psychotic episode. Patients in psychosis have a complete break with reality and their symptoms dominate their experience of the world.
At the end of such episodes, some patients experience residual schizophrenia. They are not psychotic, but have low-level negative symptoms of schizophrenia such as depression, disinterest in the world, decline in motor skills, confusion, or apathy. Hallucinations and delusions may occur, but are usually low-level. If someone has a history of psychotic episodes and experiences these symptoms, it may mean that person has residual schizophrenia.
A thorough evaluation by a psychiatrist is needed to diagnose this condition. There are several mood disorders that can have similar symptoms, and it’s important to rule out those potential causes because they are treated differently. After a careful review of a patient’s medical history and one or more sessions with the patient, a psychiatrist can provide a diagnosis and make treatment recommendations.
Some medications can help balance the mood of a patient with residual schizophrenia. These can help the patient engage in tasks of daily living. Psychotherapy can also be helpful for some patients by giving them the opportunity to talk to a therapist in a focused setting about issues that may be worrying them. Therapy may include discussions of coping techniques and other tools that a patient may find helpful.
People with schizophrenia can experience social stigma. There are numerous misconceptions about this mental illness and the forms it takes. There are different types of schizophrenia and they can manifest themselves in very different ways in individual patients. People with friends or family members who have been diagnosed with the condition can find a variety of resources to learn more and find out how they can help their loved ones.
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