Schizophrenia Test (Self-Assessment)

There are no laboratory tests to diagnose schizophrenia. Instead, a doctor will perform a physical evaluation, review your medical history, and may use various diagnostic tests, such as a blood test, MRI, or CT scan to rule out any other conditions. If there are no physical reasons for the symptoms, the individual is referred to a psychiatrist or psychologist, for further assessment. A diagnosis is made based on the symptoms the person is experienced and the psychiatrist’s observation of their behavior.

Genetics are just one factor in the cause of schizophrenia. Doctors do not believe that one gene is responsible, but that it takes many genetic mutations to raise your chances of having the disorder. While schizophrenia does tend to run in families, it is possible for people with no family history of schizophrenia to be diagnosed with it themselves. Research suggests that a combination of genetic, physical, psychological, and environmental factors make it more likely to be diagnosed with schizophrenia.

The main difference between schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder is the presence of a mood disorder. For people with schizoaffective disorder, the mood disorder is a prominent and persistent part of their condition. People with schizophrenia may experience mood episodes, but the total duration of the mood symptoms is brief and psychotic symptoms are more frequently present.

The prognosis of schizophrenia is more dependent on the factors relating to the individual themselves, rather than the sub-type of schizophrenia they are diagnosed with. Research suggests multiple factors are associated with a more favorable prognosis: being female, rapid onset of symptoms, older age of first episode, and the presence of predominantly positive symptoms are all examples of such factors.

Schizophrenia can co-occur with and be exacerbated by a variety of other mental health disorders including depression, anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder, substance use disorder, panic disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder. Some studies have identified depression as the most common comorbidity to occur with Schizophrenia, with up to half of patients with Schizophrenia also experiencing depression.

The most common early signs of schizophrenia may include social withdrawal, depression, hostility, oversleeping or insomnia, inability to cry or express joy, and deterioration of personal hygiene. The early stage of the schizophrenia is called ‘the prodromal phase’. It is difficult to diagnose schizophrenia during this early stage, as these symptoms could result from a number of other problems.

While schizophrenia cannot be cured, with the right treatment plan many people with schizophrenia can live relatively normal lives outside of a healthcare setting. The treatment must be ongoing for the person with schizophrenia to continue to live a productive, fulfilling life, including maintaining a job or socializing with friends and family.

Schizophrenia usually develops after puberty, with most people being diagnosed with schizophrenia in their late teens to early 30s. The typical age of onset and diagnosis also varies between males and females. Males are more likely to be diagnosed in their late teens to early 20s, while females are more likely to be diagnosed in their late 20s to early 30s.

Brain scans cannot single-handedly reveal schizophrenia. Brain scans can help doctors to make the right diagnosis for a variety of mental health disorders, but they are not yet intricate enough to reliably diagnose mental health conditions on their own.