Residual schizophrenia is a mild form of schizophrenia that can persist for a year or more after a psychotic episode. The patient still experiences some symptoms of the most severe form of this mental health condition, but does not experience total disorganization or complete disruption of daily life. Treatments are available for residual schizophrenia, including medication and psychotherapy. Some patients recover well after an adjustment period.
To be diagnosed with schizophrenia, patients generally need to experience some combination of delusions, hallucinations, disorganized behavior, a flattened effect, and disorganized speech. If the hallucinations or delusions are severe, that may be enough for a diagnosis. When the symptoms of schizophrenia are severe, the patient is said to be having a psychotic episode. Patients with psychosis have a complete break with reality and their symptoms dominate their experience of the world.
After such episodes end, some patients experience residual schizophrenia. They are not psychotic, but have low-level negative symptoms of schizophrenia such as depression, disinterest in the world, decreased motor skills, confusion, or apathy. Hallucinations and delusions can occur, but are usually low level. If someone has a history of psychotic episodes and experiences these symptoms, it may mean that the person has residual schizophrenia.
A thorough evaluation by a psychiatrist is needed to diagnose this condition. There are several mood disorders that can have similar symptoms and it is important to rule out those possible causes because they are treated differently. After a careful review of the patient's medical history and one or more sessions with the patient, a psychiatrist can provide a diagnosis and make treatment recommendations.
Some medications can help balance the mood of a patient with residual schizophrenia. These can help the patient participate in the tasks of daily living. Psychotherapy can also be beneficial for some patients, giving them the opportunity to talk with a therapist in a focused setting about issues that may be troubling them. Therapy may include discussions of coping techniques and other tools that a patient may find helpful.
People with schizophrenia may experience social stigma. There are numerous misconceptions about this mental illness and the forms it takes. There are several different types of schizophrenia, and they can manifest in very different ways in individual patients. People with friends or family who have been diagnosed with this condition can find a number of resources to learn more about it and discover how they can help their loved ones.