Schizophrenia is a mental disorder characterized by many abnormalities in the perception of reality. There are five subtypes of schizophrenia laid out by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM). The best known type is paranoid schizophrenia.
Paranoid Schizophrenia
Paranoid type schizophrenia differs from other types in that the patient experiences delusions and hallucinations, but is less likely to have thought disorder, disorganized behavior, or "affective flattening," a lack or decline of emotional response.
Perceptual Symptoms
Paranoid schizophrenia often, but not always, includes auditory hallucinations (hearing voices), and visual hallucinations.
Delusions
The delusions caused by paranoid schizophrenia often focus on the sufferer believing they are being persecuted or targeted. The mind misinterprets experiences and the sufferer, even with evidence to the contrary, often still believes he is being persecuted.
Personality Symptoms
Sufferers from paranoid schizophrenia are prone to anxiety, quick anger and aloofness. Sufferers also tend to be patronizing to others and verbally - sometimes physically - confrontational. Suicidal thoughts and behaviors also can occur, either as a result of delusions or of despair regarding the illness.
Treatment
There is no cure for schizophrenia. Symptoms are usually treated with a combination of medication, psychotherapy and electroconvulsive therapy. Hospital stays may be needed for intense "crisis" periods.
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