SYMPTOMS OF SCHIZOPHRENIA

~POSITIVE SYMPTOMS~

→ Reflect an addition to or exaggeration of normal experiences and/or functioning

~Hallucinations~

• Disturbances in perception

• Perceptions of the environment that seem real to the individual experiencing schizophrenia but are not real

• They are almost always unpleasant in nature

• They can take many forms:

  • Auditory (e.g. hearing voices)

  • Visual (e.g. seeing images)

  • Olfactory (e.g. smelling odours)

  • Somatic (e.g. bodily sensation)

• Most common forms of hallucination is auditory

~Delusions~

• False beliefs, but they seem real to the individual

• They can take many forms:

  • Delusions of Grandeur (inflated beliefs about their level of power and importance)

  • Delusions of Persecution (believes that others are plotting against them)

  • Delusions of Reference (believes that neutral events in the environment are directly related to them)

  • Delusions of Control (believes that they are being controlled by an alien force that has invaded their mind and body)

~Disorganised Thinking & Speech~

• Refers to disruption in the logical flow of thoughts, which impacts speech

  Some examples include:

  • Derailment - where the individual shifts between topics mid-sentence, before completing their original thought

  • Tangential Thinking - where the answers given are unrelated to the questions asked

  • Rhyming Words - using words that rhyme but don’t have meaning

~NEGATIVE SYMPTOMS~

→ Reflect a loss or absence of normal abilities or behaviours

~Speech Poverty / Alogia~

• Marked reduction in the amount and quality of speech

• Reflects slowing or blocked thoughts

• These might include:

  • Monotone or flat delivery

  • Not talking unless you are spoken to

~Avolition~

• Inability to initiate and persist in goal-directed behaviour

• Often have reduced motivation to carry out a range of activities

• 3 identifying signs:

  • Poor hygiene and grooming

  • Lack of persistence in work or education

  • Lack of energy