Today we will be discussing Schizophrenia, a mental illness that affects about 1% of Americans. In this article, we will be learning how to categorize the diverse symptoms of this serious disorder.

Schizophrenia is a chronic illness that affects the way individuals think, feel, and make decisions. Schizophrenia is considered a type of psychosis, meaning many of its symptoms muddle the boundaries between real and imaginary objects or sensations. Nearly everyone diagnosed with schizophrenia, however, experiences it differently. There are a number of distinct ways that its symptoms can surface, so, to better understand them, the symptoms of schizophrenia are separated into two categories: positive and negative.

Positive Symptoms stimulate feelings or behaviors that those without the disorder would not typically experience. Often times, these symptoms are more apparent than their negative counterparts, because positive symptoms can complicate communication, perception, and cognition. Positive symptoms include, but are not limited to:

  • These are false beliefs that, in some way, conflict with reality. They can come in a variety of forms, but always appear real to the individual experiencing them. Delusions can be especially troubling for individuals without schizophrenia to understand, because the reasoning behind the delusion may be difficult to find.
  • Unorganized Speech. Individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia tend to struggle to organize their thoughts into coherent speech. This symptom can make communication between individuals with and without this disorder very challenging.
  • Visual, Tactile, or Auditory Hallucinations. These are perceptual illusions experienced only by the individual diagnosed with schizophrenia, such as hearing voices or seeing things that are not there. While they can stem from almost anywhere, it is not uncommon for hallucinations to cause feelings of fear, anger, or sadness.

Negative Symptoms, on the other hand, are deficits in feelings or behaviors. While negative symptoms are often less apparent, they can significantly impact the quality of life of an individual diagnosed with schizophrenia. Negative Symptoms include, but are not limited to:

  • Loss of Interest. An individual diagnosed with schizophrenia may lack the motivation to work, pursue hobbies, or perform daily activities.
  • Social Isolation. Individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia may have difficulties connecting with coworkers, friends, and family. They may also feel uncomfortable, anxious, or distressed during social interactions.
  • Inappropriate Feelings. In situations that would commonly evoke a particular emotion, individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia may experience the opposite emotion or little emotion at all. For example, an individual with schizophrenia may smile or laugh when hearing sad news.

It is important to note that not everyone diagnosed with schizophrenia experiences all positive and negative symptoms. While some individuals with schizophrenia may hear voices or perceive visual hallucinations, others may only experience minor social difficulties.

No matter what form schizophrenia takes, there are treatments available to reduce the effects of this mental illness. So, if you are experiencing one or more of the above symptoms, seek help from a locale Spokane Health Care Professional to learn more about what steps you can take to diminish your symptoms.

Damaris Aragon, ARNP, BC provides a full spectrum of mental health care to people in Spokane, Washington and the surrounding areas. She focuses on providing compassionate personalized care that adheres to current evidence-based standards. Reach out to Damaris through her contact page or calling 509-342-6592.