In order to prevent over-diagnosing of schizophrenia, the DSM-IV has a list of diagnostic criteria for schizophrenia. Characteristic symptom, which is criterion A, can be divided into positive symptom (A1 to A4) and negative symptom (A5). The positive symptoms include delusion (A1), which are erroneous beliefs that usually involve a misinterpretation of perceptions or experience. Persecutory delusions are most common; the person believes he or she is being tormented, followed, tricked or spied on, or ridiculed. There is an also referential delusion whereby the person believes that certain gestures, comments, passages from books, newspapers, song lyrics, or other e

The next criterion for diagnosing a patient with schizophrenia is social occupational dysfunction. Functioning is clearly below that which had been achieved before the onset of symptom; this could be at work, interpersonal relations or self-care. In case of children or adolescent, it could the failure to achieve expected level of interpersonal, academic or occupational achievement. Duration is another one of the diagnostic criteria for schizophrenia. Continuous signs of disturbance should persist for at least six months. The six month period must include at least one month of symptoms that meet criterion A and may include periods of prodomal or residual symptoms. During these prodormal or residual periods, the signs of disturbances may be manifested by only negative symptoms or two or more symptoms listed in criterion A present in alternated form.

In my practicum experience at Saint Luke’s House, I have gotten the opportunity to work with people with a different illness, most especially Schizophrenia. I really never understood the illness, yet I was curious about it. This report has helped me not only to learn more about Schizophrenia, but also to be able to understand our clients more and be able to relate to them better. As I mentioned earlier in the paper, there are five types of Schizophrenia and of all five types, I work directly with two clients with Paranoid Type Schizophrenia, one with Disorganized Type of Schizophrenia and one client with Undifferentiated Type of Schizophrenia, and one with Residual Type of Schizophrenia. I did not get the opportunity to work with anybody with Catatonic Type of Schizophrenia. As I was doing this report, I was able to the clients I have contact with through the pages of the DSM-IV. This will help be able to understand and work not only as intern, who is trying to fulfil her practicum hours but as a mental health student with a little bit of information that can be used in working with people with mental illness at Saint Luke’s House Inc.

There are five subtypes o

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