Do you believe that a loved one has schizophrenia, or do you perhaps worry that you have it yourself? Are you starting to look into Social Security benefits, having heard that mental conditions like schizophrenia can qualify?
If so, the first step is to understand what the symptoms may look like so that you can know what to watch out for. It is important to note that you need to visit a medical professional for a true diagnosis. However, these symptoms can act as red flags that let you know that it is time to set up that appointment.
Symptoms may include:
- Delusions: These can be very far-fetched, such as worrying that the government is spying on them or monitoring them.
- Hallucinations: Perhaps the most common issue is hearing voices, but people may also smell or see things that are not actually there.
- Confusing speech patterns: Having a conversation with people who have schizophrenia can be incredibly confusing. They may not pay attention at times, and they’ll talk about things unrelated to the subject at hand. Their thoughts may be as confused as their words.
- Long stretches of silence: The person may be nearly catatonic, not responding to anything.
- Jumpy, twitchy movements: In some cases, people will do these same motions repeatedly. In most cases, these individuals are still safe to be around, but their movements will make them stand out even though they may not seem aware of it.
Schizophrenia is a very serious condition, and it requires careful treatment. Those who need benefits from Social Security must know all of the proper legal steps to take.
