Understanding The Active Phase Of Schizophrenia: Acute Schizophrenia

Generally, there are three phases of schizophrenia, the prodromal phase, the acute or active phase, and the residual or recovery phase of schizophrenia. Acute schizophrenia is an active stage of schizophrenia wherein the symptoms are more intense and severe.

This means that the symptoms are more active and conspicuous. In this blog, we will learn about what is acute schizophrenia, its symptoms, causes, diagnosis, treatment, and more.

So, let’s get started!

What is Acute Schizophrenia?

Schizophrenia is a mental health condition that causes major changes in the thoughts, beliefs, behaviors, and perceptions of a person. Generally, there are three phases of schizophrenia and acute schizophrenia is classified under the active phase. The active phase of schizophrenia is classified when people experience intense, distressing, and noticeable symptoms of psychosis.

As you might know acute means severe symptoms with a sudden onset, acute schizophrenia can be defined as a phase of schizophrenia with more severe symptoms such as delusions and hallucinations. Psychologically, the beginning of acute schizophrenia can be different in males and females. Research shows that the acute phase in men begins between the age of 18-25 and in females, it can have two peaks, the mid-20s and mid30s phase.

Symptoms of Acute Schizophrenia

Symptoms of acute schizophrenia can be positive, negative, and cognitive. Let’s understand the symptoms of acute schizophrenia based on the classification:

Positive Symptoms

• Hallucinations (visual, feeling, smell, taste, and auditory)
• Delusions (fixed false opinions)
• Disorganized speech or thinking (word salad, incoherent speech, or pressured speech)
• Abnormal or odd behavior (unexplained laughing, talking to self, catatonic behavior, purposeless movements)

Negative Symptoms

• Reduced motivation
• Lack of interests
• Absence of expressions
• Alogia (speaking few words)
• Anhedonia (reduced pleasure in activities)
• Asociality (Social withdrawal)
• Avolition (Lack of goal-directed activities or lack of motivation0
• Flat affect

Cognitive Symptoms

• Memory related problems
• Rigid thinking
• The reduced processing of things
• Lack of focus

Causes of Acute Schizophrenia

Below listed are some of the possible causes of acute schizophrenia:

• Differences in brain chemistry such as the different working of neurotransmitters
• Schizophrenia can also be a genetic condition that runs in the families
• Increased substance abuse may also put a risk of developing schizophrenia
• Exposure to malnutrition or certain toxic infection could also lead to the development of schizophrenia

Other Disorders That Look Like Acute Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia is one of the most challenging mental health disorders to diagnose because the symptoms also look alike to other common mental health disorders. This often results in misdiagnosis of schizophrenia. In such cases, it’s important to connect with a mental health provider and express your feelings, behaviors, and thoughts honestly. Other mental health disorders that look like schizophrenia are:

1. Bipolar disorder

Some symptoms of acute schizophrenia look like the symptoms of bipolar disorder such as excessive talking, impulsive behavior, or sleeping excessively. During bipolar mania, hallucinations, and delusions can be commonly seen.

2. Dementia

Dementia is a chronic disorder caused by cognitive impairment. This includes symptoms such as memory loss, communication difficulties, or personality changes. Research shows that people diagnosed with schizophrenia are at great risk of dementia.

Diagnosis of Acute Schizophrenia

The sudden onset of the symptoms or severity of the symptoms related to schizophrenia helps in defining the phase of schizophrenia. The fact is that the onset can occur at any time during the teen years or early 30s.

According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders 5^th Edition (DSM-5), an individual must exhibit more than two symptoms for at least 6 months in order to be diagnosed. And, one of the symptoms must be disorganized speech, hallucination, or delusions.

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Treatment of Acute Schizophrenia

There’s no cure for schizophrenia, but the chronic illness can be managed or the symptoms can be minimized with the help of:

Medication

Medications are considered to be the first-line treatment for acute schizophrenia as they help in minimizing the symptoms. Medications that are generally prescribed for treating acute schizophrenia are:

• Antipsychotic medication
• Adjunctive medications
• Electroconvulsive therapy
• Somatic medications

Therapy

Some of the common and effective therapy used for overcoming the symptoms of acute schizophrenia are:

1. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

CBT helps in identifying and changing negative thinking and behaviors. To know more about CBT, refer to:

All You Need To Know About CBT

2. Cognitive Remediation

Cognitive remediation therapy helps in improving memory, problem-solving skills, and attention for better everyday functioning.

3. Social Skills Training (SST)

SST is prescribed for improving interdependent and social living skills.

Other common therapies used are:

• Mentalization-based therapy (MBT)
• Group Therapy
• Support Groups

Related Read: How to help someone with Schizophrenia?

I hope this blog helps you understand everything you wanted to know about acute schizophrenia. Comment down and share your views on the same.

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