SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS AND RISK FACTORS OF UNDIFFERENTIATED

SCHIZOPHRENIA
Today, schizophrenia is understood to take many different forms and can be experience
in different ways by different people. Moreover, the symptoms may not occur all at the same
time and can change over time. With this mind, the symptoms of schizophrenia are broken down
into five broad categories in the DSM-5:
a) Delusions: These are false beliefs that are strongly held despite evidence that they are not
true
b) Hallucinations: These are the experience f hearing, seeing, smelling, tasting, or feelings
things that are not there.
c) Disorganized Speech: This is speech that is jumble, incoherent, and/or illogical
d) Grossly disorganized or catatonic behavior: These are behaviors characterized by
stupor or unresponsiveness, rigidity or unpredictable movements, or mania
e) Negative symptoms: This is the lack of expected behaviors such as “flat” speech and
facial expression, reduced desire for social contact, lack of motivation, and the inability
to feel pleasure

In order to be diagnosed with schizophrenia today, under the DSM-5, the PT must:
 Exhibit at least two of these, with at least one being delusions, hallucinations, or
disorganized speech, most of the time
 Have symptoms that persist for at least six months and cause significant difficulty in one
or more major life areas, such as work, interpersonal relations, or self-care.
Based on which combination of symptoms a person had, or which symptoms predominated, a
person could be classified as having either paranoid, disorganized, or catatonic schizophrenia. If
symptoms were not profound or specific enough to meet the criteria for these subtypes, a
diagnosis of undifferentiated schizophrenia would be made.

RISK FACTORS
The specific cause of schizophrenia, and by extension undifferentiated schizophrenia, is
not known, but there are several risk factors.

1. Age. While undifferentiated schizophrenia can occur at any age, symptoms usually begin
during the age range of the late teens to the early thirties.

2. Genetics. Undifferentiated schizophrenia appears to run in families. Having

schizophrenia in the family does not mean a person will develop schizophrenia, but it
increases the risk. The highest risk is associated with identical twins. Having a second-
 degree relative such as an aunt, uncle, grandparent; or cousin who has schizophrenia also
increases a person’s chances of developing the condition. It is likely the multiple genes
are involved in the development of schizophrenia.

3. Environment. It is believed that the interaction between genetics and environmental

factors influences the development of undifferentiated schizophrenia. Some
environmental risk factors include:

a. Living in poverty
b. Living with stress
c. Prenatal exposure to viruses or pathogens
d. Stressful surroundings
e. Prenatal malnutrition
f. History of abuse or neglect

4. Substance Abuse. Drugs do not independently cause undifferentiated schizophrenia, but

some drugs have been linked to an increased risk of schizophrenia in those who are
susceptible. Schizophrenia is linked most closely with use of:

a. Cannabis
b. Cocaine
c. LSD
d. Amphetamines

5. Brain Chemistry. These include differences in how regions of the brain connect and act
together, other changes to networks of neurons, and problems with brain chemicals, such
as the neurotransmitters glutamate and dopamine.

INFO WERE GATHERED FROM GOOGLE SITES