Symptoms of severe schizophrenia include delusions, hallucinations, and disorganized thinking. These symptoms can be severe enough to interfere with a person’s ability to function in daily life. The severity of these symptoms depends on how severe the illness is and how long the person has been suffering from it. People with schizophrenia are more likely to have delusions and hallucinations than people who do not have the disorder.
, which is a type of psychosis, is the most common form of mental illness in the U.S. It is characterized by a loss of contact with reality and an inability to distinguish between what is real and what isn’t. A person who has schizophrenia may also experience delusions of grandeur, believing that he or she is smarter than others, or that other people are out to get him or her. In some cases, the delusions may be so severe that they cause the individual to act out against others in a way that is dangerous to himself or herself or others. Other symptoms that may occur include paranoia, auditory hallucinations (hallucinations that sound like voices or music), and delusions that others are trying to harm or kill them. People who have schizophrenia have a higher risk of developing other mental illnesses, such as depression and bipolar disorder, as well as substance abuse disorders, including alcohol and drug abuse. However, schizophrenia is not the only mental disorder that can cause serious problems in people’s lives. Many other disorders affect the way people think and behave. For example, people with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) may have trouble focusing on tasks that require sustained attention. They may find it difficult to concentrate on a task for more than a few minutes at a time, even if they are told to do so by their teachers or other adults. ADHD is also associated with problems with impulse control and impulsivity, both of which can lead to problems at work and in social situations. In addition to these mental health problems, there are also physical problems that occur as a result of schizophrenia. Some of the more common physical symptoms include high blood pressure, high cholesterol, heart disease, stroke, diabetes, osteoporosis, sleep apnea, chronic pain, depression, anxiety, headaches, migraines, nausea, vomiting, skin rashes, muscle spasms, joint pain and numbness in one or both arms or legs. The most important thing you can do to help your loved one is to talk to them about their symptoms. If you are concerned about a family member’s symptoms, you may want to ask your family doctor to refer you to a psychiatrist or psychologist who specializes in schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders. You can also contact the National Alliance on Mental Illness at 1-800-950-NAMI (8255).