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While each person’s
prodrome is unique, there are some common themes to look
out for.
Early signs and symptoms can include any of the following:
Unusual Thinking
- Confusion about what is
real and what is imaginary
- Suspiciousness or paranoid
thinking
- Feeling that your ideas are or behaviors are
being controlled by outside forces
- Unrealistic ideas
of special identity or abilities
- Preoccupation with the
supernatural
Perceptual Disturbances
- Sensitivity to sounds,
easily distracted by background noises
- Hearing things
that other people don’t hear
- Seeing things that
others don’t see
- Smelling, tasting,
or feeling unusual sensations that other people don’t
experience
Negative Symptoms
- Wanting to spend more
time alone
- Not feeling motivated to do things
- Trouble understanding
conversations or written materials
- Difficulty identifying
and expressing emotions
Disorganized Symptoms
- Trouble with attention
- Neglect of personal hygiene
- Odd appearance or behavior
- Laughing at odd or inappropriate
times
- Problems with communication: vague, confused, muddled,
racing or slow speech, difficulty staying
on track or getting to the point
Mood Symptoms
- Sadness, emptiness, or irritability
- Loss of interest or
pleasure
- Physical symptoms (tiredness, weight gain/loss,
aches and pains)
- Sleep problems
- Thoughts of death and/or suicide
- Elevated mood:
excitement, feeling high or “hyper”
- Racing thoughts
- Distractibility, talkativeness
- Increased activity
- Irritability
- Inflated self-esteem or feelings of self-importance
- Decreased
need for sleep
Anxiety Symptoms
- Constant fear or worry
- Excessive social anxiety
- Panic Attacks
- Agoraphobia (fear of leaving home)
Impairment in Functioning
- Decline in functioning
- Problems in relationships with
friends or family
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