In previous articles, we have examined in some detail the first two stages of the development of schizophrenia: initial and acute. However, the disease also has its end, defined as a residual stage. Its main signs are the predominance of negative symptoms, while positive symptoms completely disappear from the picture of the disease.
irreparable defect
The intensity of the manifestation of the residual stage directly depends on what form of schizophrenic disorder is diagnosed in the patient. If this is a simple or hebephrenic schizophrenia, then mental and emotional degradation occurs rapidly, and in the catatonic and paranoid form of the disease, the process of emotional and intellectual decay is noticeably slower.
Alas, the chances of a full recovery and return to normal life in patients with the third stage are small. This requires a carefully planned rehabilitation program and very strong family support. But even this does not give a XNUMX% guarantee of a positive result.
The third stage is a persistent defect, not provoked by brain pathologies or chronic depression. The third and final stage of schizophrenia is characterized by the following criteria:
- motor retardation;
- inexpressive, unemotional, judgmental speech in terms of content;
- passive, indifferent behavior;
- decreased emotional intelligence;
- lack of facial expressions;
- reduced self-care skills;
- so-called social autism.
Do not flatter yourself by looking for the safest or less destructive stages of the development of the disease — they all equally seriously affect not only the life of the patient himself, but also the life of the people around him.
In most cases, relatives themselves are ready to deny the terrible diagnosis, preferring to attribute behavioral oddities to the complex nature, circumstances, and lack of stress resistance of the patient. Instead of accepting the diagnosis and seeking professional help, the family of a schizophrenic patient may react aggressively to his changes or, on the contrary, begin to overprotect a person, provoking the development of a “socially acceptable” form of schizophrenia. In the latter case, a person is able to maintain the level of socialization up to the third stage, as he manages to adapt to the requirements of society during the acute stage of the disease.
Norm or pathology?
Before the manifestation of psychosis, the patient and his behavior may well correspond to the understanding of the norm, although conflict episodes involving relatives begin to arise already at this stage. If measures are not taken in time, a person will be able to live to the third, most destructive and irreversible stage without attracting the attention of psychiatrists. He simply adapts to the environment, trying not to stand out from the others.
It is worth recalling that the onset of the disease is closely related to the pathological family environment, which means that assistance to such patients should consist not only in symptomatic treatment, but also in preventive measures for the patient’s relatives. One of these forms is the restoration of family harmony. This will help stabilize the patient’s condition and consolidate the results of treatment.