CLINICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF
SCHIZOPHRENIA
Schizophrenic symptoms are divided into POSITIVE + NEGATIVE
symptoms.
POSITIVE SYMPTOMS = those that appear to reflect an excess or
distortion of normal functions.
NEGATIVE SYMPTOMS = those that appear to reflect a
diminution/loss of normal functions, which often persist during
periods of low (or absent) positive symptoms.
According to the DSM, the diagnosis of schizophrenia requires at
least a one moth duration of 2 or more positive symptoms.
POSITIVE SYMPTOMS
DELUSIONS – bizarre beliefs that seem real to the person with
schizophrenia, but they are not real. Delusions can be paranoid in
nature. Delusions may involve inflated beliefs about the person’s
power + importance.
EXPERIENCES OF CONTROL – the person may believe they are
under the control of an external/alien force that has invaded their
mind/body.
HALLUCINATIONS – bizarre, unreal perceptions of the environment
that are usually auditory (hearing voices) but may also be visual
(seeing things), olfactory (smelling things) or tactile (feeling bugs
crawling under/on skin).
DISORDERED THINKING – the feeling that thoughts have been
inserted/withdrawn from the mind. May believe thoughts are being
broadcast so others can hear them. Incoherent or loosely associated
speech is used as an indicator of thought disorder.
NEGATIVE SYMPTOMS
AFFECTIVE FLATTENING – a reduction in the range + intensity of
emotional expression, including: facial expression, voice tone, eye
contact + body language.
ALOGIA – poverty of speech, characterised by the reduction of
speech fluency + productivity. This is thought to reflect slowing or
blocked thoughts.
AVOLITION – the reduction of, or inability to initiate + persist in
goal-directed behaviour. Often mistaken for apparent disinterest.
SCHIZOPHRENIA
Schizophrenic symptoms are divided into POSITIVE + NEGATIVE
symptoms.
POSITIVE SYMPTOMS = those that appear to reflect an excess or
distortion of normal functions.
NEGATIVE SYMPTOMS = those that appear to reflect a
diminution/loss of normal functions, which often persist during
periods of low (or absent) positive symptoms.
According to the DSM, the diagnosis of schizophrenia requires at
least a one moth duration of 2 or more positive symptoms.
POSITIVE SYMPTOMS
DELUSIONS – bizarre beliefs that seem real to the person with
schizophrenia, but they are not real. Delusions can be paranoid in
nature. Delusions may involve inflated beliefs about the person’s
power + importance.
EXPERIENCES OF CONTROL – the person may believe they are
under the control of an external/alien force that has invaded their
mind/body.
HALLUCINATIONS – bizarre, unreal perceptions of the environment
that are usually auditory (hearing voices) but may also be visual
(seeing things), olfactory (smelling things) or tactile (feeling bugs
crawling under/on skin).
DISORDERED THINKING – the feeling that thoughts have been
inserted/withdrawn from the mind. May believe thoughts are being
broadcast so others can hear them. Incoherent or loosely associated
speech is used as an indicator of thought disorder.
NEGATIVE SYMPTOMS
AFFECTIVE FLATTENING – a reduction in the range + intensity of
emotional expression, including: facial expression, voice tone, eye
contact + body language.
ALOGIA – poverty of speech, characterised by the reduction of
speech fluency + productivity. This is thought to reflect slowing or
blocked thoughts.
AVOLITION – the reduction of, or inability to initiate + persist in
goal-directed behaviour. Often mistaken for apparent disinterest.
