Hip
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Simple schizophrenia is a type of schizophrenia that does not involve the classic schizophrenia symptoms of hallucinations, delusions, paranoia, false beliefs, incoherent thinking and confused speech (these are the so-called positive symptoms of schizophrenia).
Simple schizophrenia only involves the negative symptoms of schizophrenia, which include:
See: Negative Symptoms of Schizophrenia and Negative Symptoms in Schizophrenia.
So whereas regular schizophrenia involves both the positive and negative symptom sets, simple schizophrenia only has the negative symptoms.
Simple schizophrenia is also called deficit schizophrenia (or at least these two terms are closely related).
One recent study found that a subset of both simple schizophrenia and regular schizophrenia patients displayed symptoms reminiscent of ME/CFS and fibromyalgia — including fatigue, muscle pain, muscle tension, autonomic symptoms, and a flu-like malaise.
The study also found that such somatic symptoms in schizophrenia patients were associated with inflammatory cytokines like IL-1beta, TNF-alpha and CCL11.
So I am wondering whether cases of ME/CFS that involve symptoms such as anhedonia, blunted emotions, social withdrawal and apathy, might actually involve simple schizophrenia. If so, some of the treatments for simple schizophrenia (listed below) might help.
In my case, as well as the usual ME/CFS symptoms of fatigue, brain fog, PEM, POTS, unrefreshing sleep, gut issues, sound sensitivity, etc, I also experience anhedonia, blunted emotions and social withdrawal. So I can relate to some of the negative symptoms.
Also, I find that although I get PEM from mental exertion like socialising, I don't get much PEM from physical exertion. So that makes my ME/CFS more unusual.
Furthermore, I find low doses of the antipsychotic amisulpride helpful for my social withdrawal (my thread on amisulpride here), and amisulpride is effective against negative symptoms at low doses like 100 mg daily.
It's also interesting that some ME/CFS patients have experienced improvements from the antipsychotic Abilify (aripiprazole), which one study found improves negative symptoms.
Although simple schizophrenia is considered less severe than regular schizophrenia (because the former does not include the positive symptoms), it actually is harder to treat than regular schizophrenia, because negative symptoms "generally do not respond well to currently available antipsychotic treatment with dopamine D2 antagonists or partial D2 agonists". Ref: 1
However, there are some drugs and supplements which may improve the negative symptoms of schizophrenia:
Simple schizophrenia only involves the negative symptoms of schizophrenia, which include:
- Anhedonia (reduced ability to experience pleasure or reward from normally enjoyable activities)
- Blunted emotions
- Apathy
- Social withdrawal (lack of interest in social interactions and withdrawing from social contact)
- Reductions in speech
- Difficulty in concentrating during conversation, and an inability to concentrate on even simple tasks (ie, brain fog)
See: Negative Symptoms of Schizophrenia and Negative Symptoms in Schizophrenia.
So whereas regular schizophrenia involves both the positive and negative symptom sets, simple schizophrenia only has the negative symptoms.
Simple schizophrenia is also called deficit schizophrenia (or at least these two terms are closely related).
One recent study found that a subset of both simple schizophrenia and regular schizophrenia patients displayed symptoms reminiscent of ME/CFS and fibromyalgia — including fatigue, muscle pain, muscle tension, autonomic symptoms, and a flu-like malaise.
The study also found that such somatic symptoms in schizophrenia patients were associated with inflammatory cytokines like IL-1beta, TNF-alpha and CCL11.
So I am wondering whether cases of ME/CFS that involve symptoms such as anhedonia, blunted emotions, social withdrawal and apathy, might actually involve simple schizophrenia. If so, some of the treatments for simple schizophrenia (listed below) might help.
In my case, as well as the usual ME/CFS symptoms of fatigue, brain fog, PEM, POTS, unrefreshing sleep, gut issues, sound sensitivity, etc, I also experience anhedonia, blunted emotions and social withdrawal. So I can relate to some of the negative symptoms.
Also, I find that although I get PEM from mental exertion like socialising, I don't get much PEM from physical exertion. So that makes my ME/CFS more unusual.
Furthermore, I find low doses of the antipsychotic amisulpride helpful for my social withdrawal (my thread on amisulpride here), and amisulpride is effective against negative symptoms at low doses like 100 mg daily.
It's also interesting that some ME/CFS patients have experienced improvements from the antipsychotic Abilify (aripiprazole), which one study found improves negative symptoms.
Although simple schizophrenia is considered less severe than regular schizophrenia (because the former does not include the positive symptoms), it actually is harder to treat than regular schizophrenia, because negative symptoms "generally do not respond well to currently available antipsychotic treatment with dopamine D2 antagonists or partial D2 agonists". Ref: 1
However, there are some drugs and supplements which may improve the negative symptoms of schizophrenia:
Low doses of amisulpride (100 to 300 mg) or olanzapine (10 to 20 mg) beneficial for the negative symptoms of schizophrenia. Refs: 1 2
Maprotiline (tetracyclic antidepressant drug) improves the negative symptoms of schizophrenia by a noradrenaline potentiating action. 1
Agomelatine effective for negative symptoms. 1
COX-2 inhibitors like celecoxib help negative symptoms. 1
5-HT3 antagonists (ondansetron, tropisetron, granisetron) help negative symptoms. 1 2
Lemon essential oil is a potent 5-HT3 antagonist (beta-pinene content is a 5-HT3 antagonist).
5-HT2 antagonists (ritanserin) help negative symptoms. 1 List of 5-HT2 antagonists, includes mirtazapine.
Oxytocin shown particular promise to treat the intractable negative symptoms and social cognitive deficits. 1
N-acetyl-cysteine improves negative symptoms. 1
Sarcosine 1 to 2 grams daily beneficial for the negative symptoms of schizophrenia. 1
Carnosine reduces negative symptoms, but not positive. 1
Galantamine may be effective for negative symptoms. 1
Pregnenolone and DHEA improve negative symptoms. 1
Pregnenolone plus L-theanine for negative symptoms and anxiety. 1
Maprotiline (tetracyclic antidepressant drug) improves the negative symptoms of schizophrenia by a noradrenaline potentiating action. 1
Agomelatine effective for negative symptoms. 1
COX-2 inhibitors like celecoxib help negative symptoms. 1
5-HT3 antagonists (ondansetron, tropisetron, granisetron) help negative symptoms. 1 2
Lemon essential oil is a potent 5-HT3 antagonist (beta-pinene content is a 5-HT3 antagonist).
5-HT2 antagonists (ritanserin) help negative symptoms. 1 List of 5-HT2 antagonists, includes mirtazapine.
Oxytocin shown particular promise to treat the intractable negative symptoms and social cognitive deficits. 1
N-acetyl-cysteine improves negative symptoms. 1
Sarcosine 1 to 2 grams daily beneficial for the negative symptoms of schizophrenia. 1
Carnosine reduces negative symptoms, but not positive. 1
Galantamine may be effective for negative symptoms. 1
Pregnenolone and DHEA improve negative symptoms. 1
Pregnenolone plus L-theanine for negative symptoms and anxiety. 1
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