Psychology Diary

The First Step Toward Change Is Awareness

  • Home
  • Relationships
  • Mental Health
  • Expert Tips
  • Life
  • Family
  • Marriage

Schizophrenia: 5 Telltale Signs of a Debilitating Disorder

December 21, 2022 · Mental Health
Schizophrenia
Photo by Oleg Elkov at Shutterstock

When Should Someone Seek Help?

Schizophrenia tends to develop gradually. So it can be hard to pinpoint when behavioral changes start or whether they’re something you should worry about. Recognizing that you’re experiencing a pattern of disturbing behaviors can be a sign that you should speak with a doctor.

Symptoms might worsen, leading up to an acute episode of psychosis in this disorder. The tell-tale signs include:

  • Difficulty telling reality from fantasy
  • New difficulty concentrating or thinking clearly
  • Confused speech or trouble communicating
  • Withdrawing socially
  • Suspiciousness of or uneasiness with others
  • A decline in self-care or personal hygiene

Even though none of these changes are concerning by themselves, if you or someone you care about are experiencing a number of these symptoms, you should contact a mental health professional.

It can be challenging for those with schizophrenia to want to get help, especially if they are experiencing symptoms such as paranoia. If you or your loved one is thinking of harming themselves, you should talk to someone who can help ASAP.

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is an excellent source of help.

We hope this article has been helpful. For related reads, our site has many more interesting posts to choose from. We also recommend reading: 11 Signs of Depression in Seniors and What You Can Do About It

Pages: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

Share this article

Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Email
Tags: Depression

11 responses to “Schizophrenia: 5 Telltale Signs of a Debilitating Disorder”

  1. Sandy Lang says:
    February 21, 2023 at 3:03 pm

    Is it possible to have a relationship with someone who has been diagnosed? This person is so Inteligent and is enjoyable to be around half the time, but then can turn on a dime into a complete jerk and make messes and damage things in my home, even stealing items. Until I read this article I had no idea that these behaviors are common. I don’t know what to do because I care dearly for this person, and we’re trying to have a relationship, but it’s no wonder why all of my best efforts have been dethwarted.

    As far as I know he has been prescribed an anti-depressant and Xanax which he doesn’t take most days. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated! Thank you!

    Reply
  2. Madison says:
    March 17, 2023 at 9:52 am

    Didn’t see the 5 signs of Schizophrenia???

    Reply
    • Rita says:
      April 14, 2024 at 5:28 pm

      Ou have to go to page 2,3…

      Reply
  3. Denise Jones says:
    March 17, 2023 at 11:33 am

    You did not discuss the onset of Schizophrenia beyond the 20’s for men and 30’s for women.

    Developing Schizophrenia as the result of alcohol abuse, drug abuse, and/or traumatic events.

    Reply
  4. Conrad Sandy says:
    March 19, 2023 at 12:26 pm

    Informative and concise! I learned about schizophrenia way back in nursing school almost 50 years ago. But this article was very interesting to read.

    Thank you!

    Reply
  5. Sylvia Carlson says:
    April 13, 2024 at 6:32 pm

    So what are the 5 signs? You didn’t say what they were.

    Reply
  6. Cindy Morton says:
    February 22, 2026 at 9:05 pm

    What r signs of schizophrenia

    Reply
  7. Pascale Digioia says:
    March 18, 2026 at 5:59 pm

    I read that talking to yourself could be a sign? Sorry but I am single, and live alone most of the day. I often talk to myself as i love my own company more than others..what is wrong with that?

    Reply
  8. Gmom Custis says:
    March 22, 2026 at 12:32 am

    What is this lable placed on some and others are listed as having a cognitive disability? Is there a difference?

    Reply
  9. Jenny says:
    April 28, 2026 at 5:51 pm

    My mom had dementia. After she passed I was going through everything she had at the nursing home and it said delirium and Schizophrenia. I’m not so sure those 2 would be accurate as the symptoms are the same as some people with dementia. She passed at 78 in 2024.

    Reply
  10. Debra Hobbs says:
    May 5, 2026 at 9:34 pm

    My son was 12 years old when he encountered his problems, they said it was Schizophrenia and medicated him, he is now 40 and nothing has worked, he is on the same medicine is there medication that can bring him out of this, he still hears voices and talks to them. However, he sings in the Choir we took him out of the system where he was in a home where they left him alone. So we brought him home to live with us where he has gotten better but still hears the voices and etc. Are there doctors that deal with that.

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Search

Latest Posts

  • A person sits alone on a sofa at dusk, looking exhausted and leaning their head on their hand in a dimly lit, lived-in living room. 8 Signs You’re Emotionally Drained By Someone Close To You
  • Illustration of a person looking into a mirror, oblivious to the people around them who are fading into the background. 8 Keys to Recognizing the Faces of Egocentric Behavior
  • A mixed media collage of an anatomical heart being slowly stained by dark ink, symbolizing the corrosive nature of unspoken resentment. 7 Signs Someone Is Secretly Resentful Toward You
  • A mixed-media collage showing a human silhouette with a fractured internal wooden frame, representing the delicate architecture of trust. 8 Behaviors That Reveal Someone Has Deep Trust Issues
  • An elderly man sits alone at a kitchen table in soft afternoon light while his adult daughter watches from the doorway with concern. Why Some People Become More Difficult With Age—According to Psychologists
  • Conceptual paper-craft illustration of a brain with glowing neural pathways and botanical growth representing cognitive health. The Link Between Physical Activity and Mental Sharpness After 60
  • A senior woman in a sunlit room excitedly examines a green leaf through a magnifying glass, surrounded by plants and gardening tools. Why Seniors Who Stay Curious Live Longer—And How to Cultivate It
  • A man in his 60s working with clay in a pottery studio, symbolizing the transition from a career to a new personal purpose. How to Rebuild Your Identity and Purpose After You Stop Working
  • A single coffee mug on a wooden table next to an empty chair in a sunlit kitchen, representing the quiet of loss. How to Cope with Grief After Losing a Spouse in Retirement
  • An older woman in a knit sweater sits on a porch at dawn, holding a steaming mug and looking thoughtfully at a misty garden. The Power of Gratitude: How Seniors Can Use It to Live Happier Lives

Newsletter

Get the latest posts delivered to your inbox.

Related Articles

toxic self relationship and self love, taking to a narcissist, midlife crisis

5 Clear Indicators of Toxic Self-Relationship

How toxic are you being with yourself? I hope you know that more important than…

Read More →
Sudden Retirement Syndrome

4 Signs of Sudden Retirement Syndrome and How to Deal With It

How to cope with sudden retirement syndrome Experts recommend the following tips to help new…

Read More →
Older adults listening in a support group.

Understanding Common Mental Health Challenges in Older Adults

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) Is it just a normal part of aging to feel sad…

Read More →
Grieving Process

The Grieving Process Is Devastating. These 7 Remarkable Tips Will Help!

Let’s go through the grieving process together! Losing someone you love will never be an…

Read More →
Alzheimer's and Parkinson's

Alzheimer’s vs. Parkinson’s: 7 Differences and Symptoms You Must Know

Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s: both of them are serious medical conditions. Let us clarify the main…

Read More →
Social media is harming your mental health

5 Signs Social Media is Harming Your Mental Health

Social media is harming your mental health more than anything else! See how you can…

Read More →
An older woman in a knit sweater sits on a porch at dawn, holding a steaming mug and looking thoughtfully at a misty garden.

The Power of Gratitude: How Seniors Can Use It to Live Happier Lives

Discover how a daily gratitude practice can help seniors improve mental well-being, protect cognitive health,…

Read More →
anger management

4 Anger Management Techniques Everyone Needs to Know

Have you been thinking about implementing some anger management in your life recently? When it…

Read More →
crying is good

10 Ways Crying Affects Your Mind and Body

When was the last time you cried? Crying is good because it helps us let…

Read More →

Psychology Diary

The First Step Toward Change Is Awareness

Inedit Agency S.R.L.
Bucharest, Romania

contact@psychologydiary.com

Explore

  • About Us
  • Advertiser Disclosure
  • Contact Us
  • Disclaimer
  • Do not sell my personal information
  • Editorial Policy
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Subscribe
  • Unsubscribe

Categories

  • Expert Tips
  • Family
  • Life
  • Marriage
  • Mental Health

© 2026 Psychology Diary. All rights reserved.