characteristics of schizophrenia

schizophrenia

• profound disruption of cognition and emotion which affects a person’s language, thought and sense of self

• no definitive symptom of the disorder

• diagnosis involves the recognition of a cluster of signs and symptoms

positive symptoms

• behaviours that have no physiological counterpart

• in addition to a person’s normal behaviour

negative symptoms

behaviours that are a reduction in normal' functioning

delusions

fixed strongly held false beliefs

delusions of grandiosity

when an individual believes that they have exceptional abilites

delusions of persecution

belief that one is going to be harmed by an individual or group

hallucinations

unusual sensory experiences that occur without an external stimulus

auditory hallucinations

usually experienced as voices that are perceived as distinct from the individual’s own thoughts

tactile hallucinations

sensation that resembles small insects/ spiders crawling on or under skin

avolition

• decrease in motivated self-initiated purposeful activities

• show low interest in participating in work or social activities

alogia

• manifested by diminished speech output

• sufferer can delay responses in conversation

anhedonia

decreased ability to experience pleasure from positive stimuli