Hebephrenic Schizophrenia is a subtype of schizophrenia andis also known as disorganized schizophrenia or hebephrenia. It usually occurs at an earlier age than most other types of schizophrenia. An individual suffering from this disorder shows extreme disorganization of personality and performance deficiencies accompanied by behavior disorientation. It is considered to be more severe than all other forms of schizophrenia. The individual appears to be emotionally distorted and may laugh or act in a ridiculous manner. He/she may also exhibit unusual mannerisms and obscene behavior. Although, these is no sure shot cure for Hebephrenic Schizophrenia, medications and good mental health care services may help patients deal with this debilitating disorder.
Symptoms of Hebephrenic Schizophrenia:
An individual affected by this disorder comes across as peculiar, extremely meticulous about unimportant affairs and is often preoccupied with ambiguous religious and philosophical themes.
He/she appears to be reclusive and is mostly preoccupied with fantasies.
As the disorder advances, the patient tends to become more withdrawn and childish.
He/she may constantly wear a sheepish grin or laugh inappropriately.
Auditory hallucinations are a common trait of this disorder. The voices heard by these patients may accuse them or ridicule them and often even abuse them by calling them names and condemning them of immoral practices.
Sexual, religious, hypochondriac and persecutory delusions may also occur. These are realistic, may change rapidly and are extremely disorganized.
These individuals often talk in an incomprehensible manner and their speech may frequently include child-like giggles, baby talk, immature giggling and the repetitive use of similar sounding words.
These individuals may even concoct new words known as neologisms.
Some of the patients with hebephrenia might even become hostile, aggressive and violent.
At other times they may behave in peculiar mannerisms such as making strange faces, talking or gesturing to themselves and may even have sudden laughing or crying spells without any reason.
They may develop a vague interest in feces and urine and may smear it all over themselves or on their surroundings.
These individuals may behave in an extremely obscene manner without a trace of shame.
Hebephrenic schizophrenia is a crippling condition in which the individual is indifferent to reality. No matter how serious the situation in real life may be, these individuals are preoccupied with their thoughts, feelings and appear to live in a different world altogether.
