What is a schizophrenic residual?
The term schizophrenic residual describes a personality change that can occur in the context of schizophrenia and, compared to acute schizophrenic episodes, is primarily characterized by pronounced negative symptoms. The term negative symptoms here includes all symptoms that are related to the degradation or reduction of psychological characteristics of a person. These include listlessness, loss of interest, emotional numbness, social withdrawal and much more. A schizophrenic residue occurs in two thirds of the cases following an acute schizophrenic psychosis and can last for several months to years.
What are the symptoms of a schizophrenic residual?
The symptoms that occur during a schizophrenic residual are, as described above, summarized under the term negative symptoms.
One of the leading symptoms is the pronounced lack of drive, which can lead to a significant restriction in everyday life. In this context, those affected often report that even mundane actions are associated with great exhaustion and that there is no motivation to meet friends, go to work or carry out everyday activities such as shopping. A lack of drive can thus contribute to social isolation, as those affected have significantly fewer social contacts. However, many patients have no interest in maintaining such contacts intensively.
Furthermore, almost all patients have a depressed mood, which is characterized by joylessness and a feeling of hopelessness. In addition to the concentration disorder, which can lead to a restriction in professional activity, sleep disorders and reduced physical stress are not uncommon.
If you compare this spectrum of symptoms with that of depression, clear similarities become apparent. Differentiating these two diseases is often not easy in everyday clinical practice. Most of the time, a known schizophrenia in the patient's medical history is leading the way.
Read more about the symptoms of schizophrenia at: Symptoms of schizophrenia
How is a schizophrenic residual different from depression?
If one only considers the spectrum of symptoms of these two diseases, a differentiation is indeed difficult. A distinction, however, is mostly simplified by the fact that patients with a schizophrenic residue in all cases have an already known schizophrenia in their medical history.
In addition, individual positive symptoms, such as acoustic hallucinations, can occur during a residual, which is much less common in depression.
Another possibility of differentiation is the clinical course of the disease. Depression usually proceeds in phases that can last for several months, but are to a certain extent self-limiting. The residual, however, can in some cases last well beyond this time frame.
Do You Have More Questions About Symptoms Of Depression? Read more at: Symptoms of depression
What is the prognosis for a schizophrenic residual?
The course and prognosis of the schizophrenic residual are individually very different and depend on various factors. On the one hand, the severity of the disease should be mentioned. In the context of very severe schizophrenia, the residual can last for several years or permanently, whereas in lighter forms a shorter and milder course of the residual is often described.
However, it is also known that symptoms can improve even after several years. In addition to the severity of schizophrenia, external factors in particular are decisive for the prognosis. If those affected are socially isolated and under-stimulated, this can lead to a significant deterioration in the prognosis.
You might also be interested in: Can schizophrenia be cured?
Course of the disease
The disease of schizophrenia can take very different forms, ranging from a slowly increasing character to a very episodic occurrence. Schizophrenic residuals, in most cases, appear after such an episode subsides. The duration and severity of the symptoms vary greatly from person to person.
For example, the residual can only last a few weeks in some people and end in a completely symptom-free state, whereas some patients live with the symptoms of the residual for several months to years.
If the course is very long, the residue is usually interrupted by schizophrenic episodes.
causes
The exact mechanisms that lead to the development of a schizophrenic residue have not yet been clarified. It is now known, however, that in the course of several schizophrenic attacks, certain areas of the brain show a loss of substance, which can lead to functional limitations. It is believed that the schizophrenic residual could be the result of such a restriction.
Another attempt at explanation relates to the therapy of schizophrenia. While the antipsychotics used today usually have a very good effect on the positive symptoms (hallucinations, etc.) of schizophrenia, the treatment of negative symptoms is more often more difficult. This could mean that this spectrum of symptoms persists longer, in the sense of a schizophrenic residuals.
You can also find detailed information under What are the causes of schizophrenia?
therapy
Basically, it must be stated that the therapy of the schizophrenic residual often turns out to be complicated. While classic antipsychotics, such as haloperidol, have only very little effects on the spectrum of symptoms, atypical antipsychotics (olanzapine, clozapine, etc.) show better claim rates.
Like all drugs in this class, these are unfortunately often associated with side effects. These include a significant increase in weight, changes in the electrical activity of the heart (QT time prolongation) and strongly sedative properties.
Furthermore, due to the very similar symptoms, antidepressants are used in the therapy of schizophrenic residues. Usually preparations of both substance classes are given in combination over several weeks to months.
Read more about treating schizophrenia at: Therapy for schizophrenia or Schizophrenia - These Drugs Are Used!
