The signs of schizophrenia are different for everyone. Symptoms may develop slowly over months or years, or may appear very abruptly. The disease may come and go in cycles of relapse and remission.

Behaviors that are early warning signs of schizophrenia include:

• Hearing or seeing something that isn’t there

• A constant feeling of being watched

• Peculiar or nonsensical way of speaking or writing

• Strange body positioning

• Feeling indifferent to very important situations

• Deterioration of academic or work performance

• A change in personal hygiene and appearance

• A change in personality

• Increasing withdrawal from social situations

• Irrational, angry or fearful response to loved ones

• Inability to sleep or concentrate

• Inappropriate or bizarre behavior

• Extreme preoccupation with religion or the occult

Schizophrenia affects about 1% of the world population. In the United States one in a hundred people, about 2.5 million, have this disease. It knows no racial, cultural or economic boundaries. Symptoms usually appear between the ages of 13 and 25, but often appear earlier in males than females. If you or a loved one experience several of these symptoms for more than two weeks, seek help immediately.

What are the Different Types of Schizophrenia?

• Paranoid schizophrenia -- a person feels extremely suspicious, persecuted, or grandiose, or experiences a combination of these emotions.

Disorganized schizophrenia -- a person is often incoherent in speech and thought, but may not have delusions.

• Catatonic schizophrenia -- a person is withdrawn, mute, negative and often assumes very unusual body positions.

• Residual schizophrenia -- a person is no longer experiencing delusions or hallucinations, but has no motivation or interest in life.

• Schizoaffective disorder--a person has symptoms of both schizophrenia and a major mood disorder such as depression.

No cure for schizophrenia has been discovered, but with proper treatment, many people with this illness can lead productive and fulfilling lives.