Each person’s experience with schizophrenia is different. Some people have a sudden onset of severe symptoms. Others have a slow build of milder issues.1
For those with a slow onset, it can be hard to tell something is going on. It may be months or years until symptoms become strong enough to notice. The early period of schizophrenia with mild, slowly progressing symptoms is called the prodromal phase.2
Benefits of identifying schizophrenia early
Many factors can affect the way a person’s schizophrenia progresses over time. These factors may include the type of symptoms, age of onset, exposure to stress, and frequency of exacerbations or breaks. Another factor that can impact long-term outcomes for people with schizophrenia is early and consistent treatment.1
Experts have found that the sooner treatment begins for schizophrenia, the better the outcome. With earlier treatment, people’s long-term functioning improves. These people tend to have stronger interpersonal and everyday living skills.1,3-5
Early treatment also can impact how severe symptoms become. For example, starting treatment in the prodromal phase may reduce the risk of developing psychosis. Psychosis is when a person starts having hallucinations or delusions, or otherwise loses touch with reality.1,3
When psychosis occurs, the person is considered to be in the active phase of schizophrenia. Recognizing the signs in the prodromal stage and starting treatment right away may help reduce a person’s risk of developing psychosis later on.1,3
Treating symptoms earlier also may help protect against changes in brain structure and function. Preventing psychosis or reducing symptom severity can lower the need for in-hospital treatment, too. All of these benefits have a positive impact on people’s long-term quality of life.1,3,4
Potential warning signs of schizophrenia
While some people have symptoms that are easy to identify, other people have a less obvious onset. But there are some common potential warning signs that may point to schizophrenia. These signs include:1,5-7
- Having disorganized thoughts
- Avoiding interaction with others
- Having symptoms of depression, like low motivation or a lack of desire to participate in hobbies
- Acting suspicious or irritable
- Paying less attention to personal hygiene
- Sleeping too much or too little
- Having trouble concentrating or remembering things
- Using words or phrases that do not make sense
- Speaking with a different tone or speed
- Lacking the desire to socialize or interact with others
- Having limited emotional reactions or staring off into space without emotion
These are not all the possible warning signs of schizophrenia. Also, having one or more of these signs does not necessarily mean a person has the condition. These same issues can point to a different underlying issue.6
If you notice any of these signs in yourself or a loved one, check in with your doctor. They can help you figure out the underlying reason.
Why might it be hard to recognize these signs?
Some warning signs of schizophrenia are subtle and hard to spot. They can also be normal in certain cases, especially in teenagers or young adults. Some signs are often mistaken as something else. For example, many of the warning signs overlap with those of depression. It is common for people to be diagnosed with a different medical or mental health issue before schizophrenia is diagnosed.1,4,6
Even when warning signs are obvious, it is common for the person or their loved ones to deny the reality of schizophrenia. They might make excuses or find other reasons why the signs may be occurring. Recognizing, diagnosing, and treating a mental health condition can be overwhelming. The first steps are often the hardest, especially for parents, loved ones, or supports of the person showing the signs.4,6
Granting yourself grace
It is much easier to recognize patterns that occurred in the past than ones happening in the present. Not recognizing the warning signs of schizophrenia is common. If you find yourself in this situation, try to be patient and forgiving with yourself and loved ones. The most important thing is establishing a treatment plan as soon as diagnosis does occur, then sticking to it.4,6