Schizophrenia: When To Call A Doctor

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When To Call a Doctor

Call 911 or a mental health emergency service if you (or someone you care about with schizophrenia):

• Have thoughts of suicide or are threatening suicide.
• Hear voices, especially if the voice tells you to hurt yourself or someone else, or to do something illegal such as destroy property or steal.

Call a health professional if you (or someone you know):

• Have a sudden change in behavior, such as refusing to eat because you think someone has poisoned your food.
• Have experiences you usually do not have (such as hearing someone calling your name when no one is there).
• Have difficulty taking care of yourself or become confused doing simple chores or tasks.
• Show warning signs of suicide, such as talking about death or spending long periods of time alone.
• Show signs of schizophrenia, such as seeming to talk to people who are not present or believing things that you know are false.
• Show the first signs of relapse, such as difficulty concentrating or withdrawing from other people.

Watchful Waiting

Sometimes people can have symptoms that appear similar to those of schizophrenia.

• Extreme stress can cause confusion and forgetfulness.
• Life-threatening situations, such as a serious accident or natural disaster, can cause extreme fear or heightened alertness.
• Grief after the loss of a loved one can cause a person to think he or she hears or sees the loved one.

If the unusual behavior lasts longer than 1 week, or if the experiences interfere with normal social function, talk with a health professional about your concerns.

Sometimes people have some of the positive symptoms of schizophrenia without having schizophrenia. These positive symptoms can occur after you take certain illegal drugs, as side effects of certain medicines, as complications of not sleeping or being overstimulated, or as symptoms of another medical condition. Positive symptoms of schizophrenia may also be symptoms in other illnesses such as severe depressionor bipolar disorder. If you have had symptoms of psychosis (such as hearing voices) or are concerned about changes in your thoughts or feelings, see a health professional for an evaluation.

Who To See

The following health professionals can help diagnose schizophrenia and may work together with other health professionals to treat schizophrenia:

• General practitioner
• Family medicine physician
• Internist
• Neurologist
• Psychiatrist
• Psychologist
• Physician assistant
• Nurse practitioner

To prepare for your appointment, see the topic Making the Most of Your Appointment.

Last updated:	February 05, 2008
Author:	Jeannette Curtis
Reviewed By:	Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine, Lisa S. Weinstock, MD - Psychiatry
Editors:	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Pat Truman, MATC