Speaking Schizophrenia: A Glossary of Terms Used to Describe Symptoms, Tests, Treatments, and More

当你或你认识的人被确诊为原理图izophrenia or schizoaffective disorder, you’ll encounter many new terms and phrases. This glossary will walk you through all the condition-related and medical jargon so that you can understand what’s happening and how to get the most effective treatment for schizophrenia.

AntidepressantsThese are medicines used totreat depression. Somepeople with schizophreniaalso experience depression.

AntipsychoticsThis is a class of drugs often used to treat schizophrenia andschizoaffective disorder. These medicines can help to relieve hallucinations, confused thoughts, and delusions.Antipsychoticsoften are used in combination with other medication. They work by changing the way certain chemicals act in the brain. There are many different antipsychotics on the market.

AnxietyPeople with anxiety disorders experience extensive uneasiness, often accompanied by intrusive thoughts, compulsive actions or panic. Anxiety may be a symptom of schizophrenia. Some people with schizophrenia experience anxiety disorders.

Atypical AntipsychoticsNewer or second-generation antipsychotics are sometimes referred to as “atypical” antipsychotics. Some common atypical antipsychotics includeRisperdal (risperdone)andAbilify (aripiprazole).

Bipolar DisorderBipolar disorderis a serious mental illness. It’s sometimes called manic-depressive disorder. That’s because people with bipolar disorder experience episodes of mood extremes. They can quickly swing from periods of increased energy (mania) to periods of extreme sadness (depression).

CatatoniaPeople with schizophrenia may enter into a trance-like state, called catatonia, in which they don’t move at all and don’t respond to others.

Cognitive Behavioral TherapyThis is a specific type of talk therapy in which you’ll meet with apsychiatristor psychologist to learn ways of coping with symptoms. Your therapist, for instance, might work with you on ways to ignore the voices in your head.

Coordinated Specialty CareThis is a team approach to treating schizophrenia. Acoordinated specialty care teamtypically includes clinicians, therapists, and case workers. These team members may have expertise in psychotherapy, family support, work or educational support, and medication management.

DelusionsThese are beliefs that are illogical or untrue. The majority of people with schizophrenia experience delusions.

DepressionThis is the most common mental disorder.Depression causesfeelings of persistent sadness or loss of interest in activities. Some schizophrenia symptoms can be confused withclinical depression.

Disorganized ThinkingSome people with schizophrenia have trouble organizing thoughts in a logical pattern. Disorganized thoughts can come out as jumbled speech or “word salad” that lacks any coherent meaning.

Dissociative Identity DisorderA major myth about schizophrenia is that people with the disorder have split, or multiple, personalities. Having split personalities is a symptom of another mental disorder called dissociative identity disorder.

DSM-5This stands forDiagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition. It’s a reference manual published by theAmerican Psychiatric Associationto aid healthcare providers in the diagnosis and treatment ofmental health disorders.

DystoniaThese are involuntary muscle contractions that can cause body parts to move and twist uncontrollably. Dystonia may be a symptom of schizophrenia. It can also be a side effect of some antipsychotic medicines used to treat schizophrenia.

Family TherapyThis is a type of therapy you do along with members of your family. A therapist can help your family members understand more about schizophrenia.

First Episode PsychosisThis refers to a person’s first experience with psychosis. Not everyone who experiences an episode of psychosis develops schizophrenia, but getting help early can help with recovery.

HallucinationsPeople with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder may see, hear, smell, or feel things that aren’t really there. Hearing voices is a common type of hallucination in people with schizophrenia.

Mood StabilizersThese drugs are used mainly totreat bipolar disorder. Somepeople with schizoaffective disordermay also usemood stabilizers.

Negative SymptomsThese are less obvioussymptoms of schizophreniathat may include: difficulty using information to make decisions, lack of pleasure in everyday activities, or a severe lack of energy.

NeurotransmittersThese are chemicals in the brain that help brain cells in different parts of the brain communicate with each other. Somemedicines for schizophreniawork onneurotransmitters.

Paranoid SchizophreniaDoctors no longer recognize this as an official subtype of schizophrenia, though it refers to people who experience paranoid delusions.

Pediatric SchizophreniaSchizophrenia rarely develops in kids younger than 13. When it does, it’s called childhood-onset or pediatric schizophrenia.

Positive SymptomsThis is another term for the psychotic symptoms — hallucinations, delusions, jumbled speech — experienced by people with schizophrenia.

PTSDPost-traumatic stress disorderis a condition in which someone has trouble recovering from a difficult or terrifying event. Some of thesymptoms of PTSDcan overlap with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder.

Psychiatrist心理医生是一个医生,可以prescribe medication to treat schizophrenia. Psychiatrists may also be involved in therapy.

Psychological EvaluationA psychiatrist or psychologist will use specially-designed interview questions to determine whether you have schizophrenia.

PyschosisPyschosis or psychotic episode are terms to describe a break or disconnection from reality.

PsychologistThese practitionersfocus on treating mental health problems with psychotherapy.

PsychotherapySometimes called talk therapy, psychotherapy can help people control or eliminate some symptoms of schizophrenia.

Schizoaffective DisorderThis is a mental illness that acts like a combination of related conditions: schizophrenia and either bipolar disorder or depression.

SchizophreniaThis serious psychiatric disorder can cause delusions, hallucinations, and disordered thinking. While there is no cure for schizophrenia, treatment can help to lessen symptoms.

Typical AntipsychoticsOlder or first-generation antipsychotics are sometimes referred to as “typical.” Some commonly used typical antipsychotics includeHaloperidol (haldol)andChlorpromazine (thorazine).

RehabilitationThese programs focus on skills that can help people with schizophrenia function better in their communities. Rehabilitation may include job counseling, money management, or communications training.