Types of schizophrenia

There are several types of schizophrenia.

Paranoid schizophrenia

This is the most common form of schizophrenia. It may develop later in life than other types of schizophrenia. Symptoms include hallucinations and/or delusions, but your speech and emotions may not be affected.

Hebephrenic schizophrenia

Also called ‘disorganised schizophrenia’, this type of schizophrenia usually develops when you are 15-25 years old. Symptoms include disorganised behaviours and thoughts, alongside short-lasting delusions and hallucinations. You may have disorganised speech patterns and others may find it difficult to understand you.

People with disorganised schizophrenia often show little or no emotions in their facial expressions, voice tone, or mannerisms. At times they have inappropriate emotional responses to the situation, such as laughing at something sad.

Catatonic schizophrenia

This is the rarest schizophrenia diagnosis, characterised by unusual, limited and sudden movements. You may often switch between being very active or very still. You may not talk much, and you may mimic other’s speech and movement.

Undifferentiated schizophrenia

Your diagnosis may have some signs of paranoid, hebephrenic or catatonic schizophrenia, but it doesn’t obviously fit into one of these types alone.

Residual schizophrenia

You may be diagnosed with residual schizophrenia if you have a history of psychosis, but only experience the negative symptoms (for example; slow movement, poor memory, lack of concentration and poor hygiene).

Simple schizophrenia

With simple schizophrenia, the negative symptoms (for example; slow movement, poor memory, lack of concentration and poor hygiene) are most prominent early and will get worse. It is rare to experience positive symptoms (hallucinations, delusions, disorganised thinking).

Cenesthopathic schizophrenia

People with cenesthopathic schizophrenia experience unusual bodily sensations.

Unspecified schizophrenia

Symptoms meet the general conditions for a diagnosis, but do not fit in to any of the above categories.