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Disorganized Schizophrenia (Hebephrenic) – An Overview 

What is disorganized (hebephrenic) schizophrenia?

Disorganized or hebephrenic schizophrenia is a condition that describes a person who is experiencing certain types of symptoms, such as:

  • Disorganized thinking
  • Flat affect
  • Unusual speech patterns
  • Difficulty performing daily activities
  • Incongruent facial reactions
  • Emotions that don’t match the situation

A person with schizophrenia who is described as hebephrenic does not experience hallucinations or delusions but instead has disorganized speech and behavior.

It was once considered a diagnosis, however, in the newest version of the Once considered a diagnosis, Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Edition 5 (DSM-5) [1], the official manual that psychiatrists and mental health professionals use, hebephrenic schizophrenia is no longer an official diagnosis.

However, the term is still used in other manuals, like the International Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (ICD-10) [2], which healthcare professionals use to categorize medical conditions.

What was previously a group of subtypes is now used to describe a major overarching diagnosis and help mental health professionals provide the best care.

Continue reading this article to learn all about schizophrenia, including symptoms, causes, and treatment options.