An Introduction to the Symptoms of Schizophrenia
- Positive symptoms of schizophrenia are unusual thoughts or perceptions that include hallucinations, delusions, and disordered thinking.
- Negative symptoms of schizophrenia represent a loss or a decrease in the ability to initiate plans, speak, express emotion, or find pleasure in everyday life. These symptoms are harder to recognize as part of the disorder and can be mistaken for laziness or depression.
- Cognitive symptoms of schizophrenia (or cognitive deficits) are problems with attention, certain types of memory, and the executive functions that allow us to plan and organize. Cognitive deficits can also be difficult to recognize as part of the disorder, but are the most disabling in terms of leading a normal life.
Positive Symptoms of Schizophrenia
Positive symptoms of schizophrenia are easy-to-spot behaviors not seen in healthy people and usually involve a loss of contact with reality.
These positive symptoms of schizophrenia can include:
- Hallucinations
- Delusions
- Thought disorder
- Disorders of movement.
Positive symptoms of schizophrenia can come and go. Sometimes they are severe, and at other times, they may hardly be noticeable, depending on whether the individual is receiving treatment.