Diagnosing schizophrenia can often take a while because there is no single test - NHS on FIDDAMAN blog

Making a diagnosis


Diagnosing schizophrenia can often take a while because there is no single test, and the symptoms can be similar to those for some other brain disorders. A person may not want to say they feel unwell, and symptoms include paranoia and a lack of self-awareness, making diagnosis difficult.



The WLMHT care team will listen to what a person and their carers say, evaluate a range of symptoms, and make a diagnosis based on all the evidence gathered over a period of time.



Early warning signs

The WLMHT care team helps a person identify the early warning signs that a schizophrenic episode is coming. This is known as their relapse signature. Knowing a person’s relapse signature means that help can be arranged early and before an episode escalates.



Early warning signs can include:



•Sudden mood changes

•Flattening of emotions, desires and interests

•Reduced ability to cope, especially with stress and relationships

•Odd responses to people and events

Sudden onset

Sometimes, as a result of extreme stress, the onset of schizophrenia can seem quite sudden, with a person developing severe symptoms such as seeing and hearing imaginary things within a few weeks.



It may seem that a person has had a sudden breakdown, but it is not unusual for people to say they had been coping with symptoms for a long time. It may not be until other life stresses caused them to experience a breakdown that the full extent of their schizophrenia is revealed.


http://www.wlmht.nhs.uk/understanding-mental-health/conditions/schizophrenia/diagnosis-of-schizophrenia/