Clinical Characteristic of Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia (Sz) is a condition that severely disrupts the individuals psychological functioning and is characterised by

True or False: Positive symptoms are symptoms that are present in schizophrenics but not in neurotypicals

True or False: Negative symptoms are behaviour that are found in both schizophrenic and non-schizophrenic individuals

Hallucinations are unreal perceptions of the surrounding environment. Select two other statements about hallucinations that are true.

Delusions are [blank_start]bizzar beliefs[blank_end] that seem real and logical to the schizophrenic. These often centre around [blank_start]paranoia[blank_end], for example they may believe that someone (often an organisation) is trying to kill them. Or they have an inflated sense of [blank_start]importance[blank_end] and [blank_start]power[blank_end], for example believing comments on the television are aimed specifically at them. Like the hallucinations delusions will fit in with the [blank_start]individuals beliefs[blank_end], for example if they believe in government conspiracies their delusions may be that the government is trying to kill them.

Disordered thinking is another [blank_start]positive[blank_end] symptom of Sz, the individual feels as though though have been [blank_start]removed and inserted[blank_end] into their mind. This often characterises itself in [blank_start]disordered speech[blank_end], of example they may suddenly change topics or their speech may be [blank_start]incoherent[blank_end].

Examples of negative symptoms of Sz are..

Avolition is the inability to [blank_start]pursue or persist[blank_end] in any [blank_start]goal orientated behaviour[blank_end], sometimes mistaken for [blank_start]lack of interest[blank_end]. Flattening is a [blank_start]reduction[blank_end] in [blank_start]range and intensity[blank_end] of [blank_start]emotions[blank_end], characterised through [blank_start]facial expressions[blank_end], body language, [blank_start]vocal tone[blank_end] etc.