What are the different types of schizophrenia?

Schizophrenia is a chronic mental health condition that interferes with a person’s perception of reality and causes emotional difficulties, trouble thinking rationally and clearly, and develops challenges in relationship with others. Thought- and behavior-related symptoms, such as delusions and hallucinations, determine the classification of the different types of schizophrenia. Nowadays, schizophrenia is no longer divided into subtypes but is considered a spectrum. Here, you will learn about the former subtypes of schizophrenia. You will also learn about the symptoms and other conditions related to schizophrenia.

Types of Schizophrenia

There are several types of schizophrenia. The most common are as follows:

• Paranoid schizophrenia

This form of schizophrenia may develop later in life than other forms. Symptoms include hallucinations and delusions, but speech and emotions may not be affected.

• Hebephrenic schizophrenia

Disorganised schizophrenia, also known as hebephrenic schizophrenia, usually develops between the ages of 15 and 25. It is characterised by disorganised behaviour and thoughts, accompanied by short-lived delusions and hallucinations. You might experience difficulties in communicating as you may have disorganised speech patterns. People with disorganised schizophrenia may display very little or no emotions in their facial expressions, tone of voice, or gestures.

• Catatonic schizophrenia

This type of schizophrenia is the rarest and is characterised by sudden, limited, and unusual movements. Individuals may alternate between being very active or very still. They may also have trouble with speech and imitate the speech and movements of others.

• Undifferentiated schizophrenia

If a person’s diagnosis shows signs of paranoid, hebephrenic, or catatonic schizophrenia, but it does not fit neatly into any one of these categories, it can be termed undifferentiated schizophrenia.

• Residual schizophrenia

You may be diagnosed with residual schizophrenia if you have a history of psychosis but only experience the negative symptoms (such as slow movement, poor memory, lack of concentration and poor hygiene).

• Simple schizophrenia

Negative symptoms, such as slow movement, poor memory, and poor hygiene, are more prominent and tend to worsen over time. On the other hand, positive symptoms, such as hallucinations, delusions, and disorganised thinking, are rarely experienced.

• Cenesthopathic schizophrenia

Individuals with cenesthopathic schizophrenia undergo atypical bodily sensations.

• Unspecified schizophrenia

Symptoms that meet the general conditions for a diagnosis but do not fit into any specific category define unspecified schizophrenia.

Related Disorders

Some more disorders fall under the schizophrenia spectrum. Those related disorders are as follows:

• Schizoaffective disorder

• Delusional disorder

• Brief psychotic disorder

• Schizophreniform disorder

• Schizoaffective disorder