Loss of interest and social withdrawal

The persons start losing interest in their work, studies, family and friends. They are irritable, look vacant when questioned, stop going to work, and spend time wandering aimlessly or doing nothing, looking preoccupied or lost in thought. This is usually accompanied by a sharp fall in academic or work performance, disturbed sleep patterns and loss of appetite. The individuals also begin withdrawing into themselves, shunning company and social interaction of any sort.

Disinterest in personal hygiene

In the later stages, the patients refuse to bathe or keep themselves clean, and lose interest in their physical appearance and that of their surroundings.

Inability to express emotion

Patients becomes emotionally ‘blunted’ - they are unable to express appropriate emotion and do not appear to be in touch with reality outside of themselves. Many complain that they neither feel sad nor happy.

Lack of attention and concentration

This is very often a symptom of schizophrenia and may be reported either by the patients or any of their family members. They could have difficulty in performing daily activities such as reading the newspaper or watching television. Because of this, they leave tasks half done or undone. This is a frequent problem with patients who return to work.

Lack of insight

Very few schizophrenics know or admit that they have a problem. They often deny any illness or difficulty, sometimes blame those who take them to doctors, or attribute everything to a physical illness. This can delay or hinder the treatment process.

It is not often that all the symptoms described appear in any one individual or at the same point in time.