Symptoms of Schziphrenia Flashcards
Are delusions a positive or negative symptom?
Positive.
What are delusions?
Bizarre beliefs that seem real to the person with schizophrenia.
Can involve inflated beliefs about the persons power and importance.
May believe that events in the environment are directed at them.
Delusions can be paranoid in nature.
What is speech poverty?
Lessening of speech fluency and productivity.
Difficulty in spontaneously producing words.
Do badly in a test of verbal fluency.
What is an example of a verbal fluency test?
Name as many animals as you can in a minute.
Is speech poverty a positive or negative symptom?
Negative.
Is avolition a positive or negative symptom?
Negative.
What is avolition?
Reduction or inability to initiate and carry out goal-directed behaviour.
May lie in bed all day and do nothing.
What is avolition distinct from but often confused with?
Poor social function or disinterest.
Is affective flattening a positive or negative symptom?
Negative.
What is affective flattening?
A reduction in the range and intensity of emotional expression.
Facial expression, tone of voice, eye contact, body language.
Is experiences of control a positive or negative symptom?
Positive.
What is experiences of control?
The belief that their mind and body has been invaded and they are now under the control of an alien force.
Is anhedonia a positive or negative symptom?
Negative.
What is anhedonia?
A loss of interest or pleasure in almost all activities.
Can be physical (food and sex) or social (communication).
Is physical or social anhedonia more a signification of schizophrenia?
Why?
Physical because social occurs with many other mental health conditions, whereas physical doesn’t.
