How can i know if i have schizophrenia?

It may be difficult: The hallmark of schizophrenia has to do with something called psychosis. Psychosis is defined as someone having hallucinations and/or delusions. Because the hallucinations and the delusions seems real to the person, it is often difficult to tell for the person themselves. The best thing to do is to seek an evaluation from a board certified psychiatrist and to stay on the medication as prescribed.

You can't.: Psychotic symptoms are hallmarks of schizophrenia, but they are symptoms that can occur in many illnesses. First make an appointment with your family doctor and if medically cleared, make an appointment with a psychiatrist in your area to help you figure this out. You have nothing to loose and potentially so much to gain!

Psychiatric eval: By definition, schizophrenia is about psychosis. Psychosis means the patient is getting external stimuli from the environment through one or more of his or her five senses, that does not objectively exist. In other words there are auditory,visual, olfactory, gustatory, and tactile hallucinations that can be experienced by the patient. Auditory hallucinations, however, are the most common.

Schizophrenia: Recommend comprehensive evaluation by a clinical psychologist or a psychiatrist to accurately diagnose Schizophrenia. Positive sx’s of schizophrenia can include delusions & hallucinations (visual, auditory, tactile, olfactory, gustatory). Disorganized symptoms can include disorganized or catatonic behaviors. Negative sx’s lead to lack of normal function w social decline (Lack of affect, Impover

There are telltale clues to look for. Essentially a thought disorder that presents with positive symptoms such as hallucinations, delusions, disorganized thoughts and speech, and or negative symptoms which can include loss of interest in activities that may have been pleasurable before, social isolation, and social withdrawal. Any family history? If concerns, seek evaluation.