Disruption of normal behavior
An individual might tend to neglect to spend a lot of time with others instead they insist on being alone. They speak in a flat unchanging tone sometimes in monosyllables and their expressions are still, displaying no or little emotion. In some individuals, schizophrenia occurs suddenly and without any warning. But for most, it gradually comes on, with subtle warning symptoms and a slow decline in activities, long before the first serious episode. Sometimes, family members or friends will know early on that something is not right, without exactly knowing what. In this early stage of schizophrenia, you might look unmotivated, eccentric, reclusive, and emotionless to others.
You might begin to separate yourself, start neglecting your personality, say peculiar things and present a general indifference to life. You might stop activities and hobbies and performance at school or work might deteriorate. The most occurring early warning signs consist of:
- Social withdrawal
- Insomnia
- Oversleeping
- Depression
- Reduction of personal hygiene
- Irrational or odd statements; the weird way of speaking or use of words