Question

Describe any one type of Schizophrenia.

Hint:

To remember Paranoid Schizophrenia, focus on the word "paranoid." It points to the core symptoms: paranoid (persecutory) delusions and often threatening auditory hallucinations.

Answer 1

While the clinical subtypes of schizophrenia were removed from the official diagnostic manual (DSM-5) in 2013, they are still commonly used for descriptive purposes. One of the most well-known historical types is Paranoid Schizophrenia.
Characteristics of Paranoid Schizophrenia:
The defining features of this subtype are the prominence of positive symptoms, specifically delusions and auditory hallucinations, while cognitive functioning and emotional responses are relatively well-preserved compared to other subtypes.

Prominent Delusions: The individual holds strong, fixed, false beliefs that are resistant to reason. The content of these delusions is often persecutory or grandiose:
Persecutory Delusions: The belief that one is being tormented, followed, tricked, or spied on by others. This is the most common theme.
Grandiose Delusions: The belief that one has exceptional abilities, wealth, or fame.

Frequent Auditory Hallucinations: The individual hears things that are not there, most commonly voices. These voices are often critical, threatening, or command the person to do things.

Relative Preservation of Functioning: Unlike other types (such as disorganized schizophrenia), individuals with the paranoid subtype typically do not show marked disorganized speech, disorganized behavior, or flat affect (lack of emotional expression). Their cognitive skills and emotional responses may remain relatively intact outside the direct influence of their psychotic symptoms.