Symptoms of Schizophrenia
Psychology: AQA A Level, topic 12.1.1
Positive and Negative Symptoms of Schizophrenia
Schizophrenia is a mental disorder. It is characterised by disruption in psychological functioning and loss of contact with reality. People with schizophrenia may experience many different symptoms.
Schizophrenia in the population
- Schizophrenia affects about 1% of the population.
- Symptoms first show in mid to late adolescence.
Negative symptoms of schizophrenia
- Negative symptoms of schizophrenia involve the loss of usual abilities and experiences. Symptoms include avolition (or apathy) and speech poverty.
- Avolition includes difficulties with goal-directed behaviour, such as personal hygiene, lack of persistence and lack of energy.
- Speech poverty involves changes in the pattern of speech.
Positive symptoms of schizophrenia
- Positive symptoms of schizophrenia are those that are not present in non-schizophrenic individuals and include hallucinations and delusions.
- Hallucinations are unusual sensory experiences, such as hearing voices, that are not present in the environment. These voices can be very critical.
- Hallucinations can also be visual, such as seeing people who aren’t there.
- Delusions are irrational beliefs that can take many forms, such as believing you are a famous historical figure or under surveillance by the government.
Speech poverty interpretations
- Different diagnostic manuals have described speech symptoms differently.
- For example, one manual focuses on speech poverty (a negative symptom), while another on disorganised speech (a positive symptom).
Test yourself on Symptoms of Schizophrenia
Which of these is an example of a positive symptom of schizophrenia?