Positive Symptoms Of Schizophrenia

These symptoms are grouped into three categories positive, negative, and psychomotor (Comer 2016). Positive symptoms are pathological excesses and they include hallucinations and disorganized thinking and speech (Comer 2016). Whereas negative symptoms are pathological deficits which include loss of violation and social withdrawal (Comer 2016). Psychomotor symptoms are awkward moments and odd gestures that people suffering with schizophrenia sometimes experience (Comer 2016).

Majority of cases begin in adolescence and adulthood. The peak age range would be eighteen to thirty year olds. As far as we know it is very rare for a child to have schizophrenia. The age for schizophrenia to appear differs by gender. Women tend to be diagnosed in between twenty and twenty-four. There is a second rise in numbers for women. The second rise begins after the age of forty. Men tend to get it in their twenties. After the age of thirty-five the number of men who develop schizophrenia tends to drop, thus males more likely to have early onset compared to women. “Gender differences may be related to women having more mood disorder and anxiety diagnosis leading to milder forms of schizophrenia going undiagnosed,” (Butcher, 2014). Gender can play a big role when diagnosing schizophrenia.

There are both positive and negative symptoms of schizophrenia. Positive symptoms of schizophrenia that are marked by excesses in functioning. While negative symptoms are symptoms that are marked by deficits in functioning. (Grison, Heatherton, and Gazzaniga, 2015, p. 518). Doctor Elyn Saks has experienced both positive and negative symptoms of the

Schizophrenia falls into three broad categories positive symptoms, negative symptoms, and cognitive symptoms. Positive symptoms are psychotic behaviors not seen in healthy people. People who have these symptoms often lose touch with reality and these symptoms can be and ongoing thing. Hallucinations are things a person sees, hears,

Schizophrenia affects the ability of a person to perceive reality. It can disrupt a person’s thinking, behavior, and emotions. If someone in a family has had schizophrenia, the likely hood of it being passed down is high, and it usually develops around the late teens, but has been known to affect young children and older adults. Having this disorder can be devastating when the symptoms interfere with everyday life, such as relationships, work, and even self-care. There are several types of symptoms, positive symptoms and negative symptoms. Positive symptoms are when symptoms that shouldn’t be present suddenly arise, like for example hallucinations, delusions, altered speech,

These “Positive” Symptoms typically include: Delusions, or thoughts that are disorganized, and can also include some hallucinations (which is a symptom that Schizophrenia is typically known for). The other type of Symptoms are referred to as “Negative” Symptoms. Negative symptoms are symptoms that almost always involve issues with social interactions, motivation to do tasks, and ability to form lasting relationships. Symptoms can vary between different people, But you will typically notice certain symptoms that characterize the disorder. Fortunately, Many new treatments are available for people who suffer this disorder, and in many cases this can improve the quality of life significantly, These methods of treatment will be expanded upon further in the next few

To be diagnosed with schizophrenia these symptoms have to be apparent for at least 6 months (NAMI, 2017). It is not an easy diagnosis regardless what age an individual falls into. The majority of people who suffer do not believe they have the mental disorder, this can make the diagnosis very difficult to accept. A health care provider must examine someone under the suspicion of having schizophrenia for 6 months to ensure the correct diagnosis. This is because a simple lab test or physical test can not be done to push out a positive or negative result. Brain tumors, and possible other mental illnesses must be ruled out before the health care provider makes the final diagnosis (NAMI, 2017). Once diagnosed it is easier to get treatment right away to get psychotic breaks under control, an understanding as to why they are happening and on the road for treatment.

There are three ways that symptoms of schizophrenia are categorized by; positive, negative, and cognitive. Positive symptoms are psychotic behaviors not generally seen in healthy people. These symptoms include hallucinations, delusions, thought disorders, and movement disorders (NIMH). Negative symptoms are associated with disruptions to to normal emotions and behaviors. These symptoms include “flat affect” (reduced expression of emotions via facial expression or voice tone), lack of pleasure in everyday life, lack of ability to begin and sustain planned activities, and reduced speaking. Cognitive symptoms consist of loss of the capacity for very basic human functioning. Symptoms include inability to focus attention, impaired “working memory”, and lack of fundamental individual initiative to do anything (Psychology Today). “It (schizophrenia) has definitely made everything a lot more stressful. It makes it a lot harder for me to be devoted and have the motivation to do basically anything” (Dickey, Madeline).

Schizophrenia is typically diagnosed during early adulthood or late adolescence. Each schizophrenic patient will have a unique set of symptoms. Most patients with schizophrenia gradually develop signs and symptoms over time, although it is also completely plausible for some patients to have a sudden onset of symptoms. Typically, this illness starts out with a prodromal period. During this period, people afflicted by this disease experience positive symptoms that may include disturbances in their thought process, a difficulty differentiating between reality and fantasy, and a substantial increase in instances of delusions and hallucinations. Negative symptoms of schizophrenia may include social withdrawal, the inability to pay attention, and general

Symptoms of schizophrenia are often categorized into positive and negative symptoms. Positive symptoms typically include:

The prevalence rate in the United stated is about 1.1 % of the population. (Cite ncbi.nim.nih.gov) Schizophrenia affects various societies and does not discriminate by race class, culture, or religion. Schizophrenia has been considered to be a brain disorder and can also be seen as genetic. (Kress, V. 2014). The perception is that there are people who have a predisposition to getting schizophrenia if a relative has been diagnosed. According Having a parent or sibling who have been diagnosed increases a person chances in developing the disorder from 1% to 10%. (Kress, V. 2014) The symptoms of Schizophrenia usually begin to appear in late adolescence and early adulthood, between the ages of 15 and 25. Men tend to show signs earlier then women. There are higher incidences in males then in females.

It can also be scary and upsetting to the people around them. Families and society are both impacted positively and negatively by schizophrenia. Positive symptoms are usually the symptoms that are not found in healthy people and can either come and go or will just stay stable over the span of the time they are diagnosed. Some examples of positive symptoms are hallucinations, delusions, thought disorders, and movement disorders. Negative symptoms are those that are harder to identify and recognize as part of the disorder or another separate condition. Examples of these negative symptoms are reduced speaking, difficulty beginning and continuing activities, reduced feelings of pleasure in everyday life, and activities they used to enjoy doing, and lastly having “flat affect” which is reduced expression of emotions by facial expression or the tone of voice. The last form of symptoms the individual diagnosed can have is cognitive symptoms. These symptoms are subtle, but are difficult to notice like the negative symptoms. Example of cognitive symptoms is poor “executive functioning” (the ability to understand information and use it to make decisions), trouble focusing or paying attention, and problems with “working memory” (the ability to use information immediately after learning

Positive symptoms are when symptoms of schizophrenia are bizarre additions to an individual’s behavior, such as delusions, disorganized thinking and speech, hallucinations, and inappropriate affect. Delusions, or incorrect thoughts, occur in various ways but the most popular is persecution, when the individual feels like everyone is out to get them, following delusions of grandeur, or feeling like they are of higher power such as being the Queen of England, when they clearly are not. Another symptom is disorganized thinking and speech that can include loose associations in which the conversation is all over the place, neologisms which is making up words, or the individual with schizophrenia will talk in clang or repeated rhymes. Third, is hallucinations

Schizophrenia has a lot of known and unknown causes. Scientist believes that genetics and environment are the most recognized causes of schizophrenia (Mayo Clinic Staff, 2014). Other causes of schizophrenia could be that people who are diagnosed with schizophrenia have a chemical imbalance. Chemical imbalances can affect the way a person reacts to certain stimuli. For example reactions can differentiate from stimuli such as the senses: sound, taste, smell, and sight (Mental Health America, 2013). The symptoms of schizophrenia can range from positive to negative symptoms. Positives symptoms are called positive because the symptoms are things that are added to the patient 's personality. Some positive symptoms of schizophrenia are as follows: delusions, hallucinations, and disordered thinking and speech. Negative symptoms would be things that are lost in a patient’s personality. Some negative symptoms of schizophrenia are as followed: social withdrawal, emotionless responses to stimuli, and lack of ambition and drive (Mental Health America, 2013).

In some people's cases, Schizophrenia appears suddenly and without warning. But for most it comes slowly, with subtle warning signs and a gradual decline in functioning long before the first severe episode. “In the early phases of Schizophrenia people often seem eccentric, unmotivated, emotionless, and reclusive (Helpguide.org).” They may isolate themselves and not want to participate in daily activities such as playing with their children, going outside, or getting off the couch. They abandon their hobbies and they do not do well in their jobs. “The most common early warning signs of Schizophrenia include: social withdrawal, hostility or suspiciousness, deterioration of personal hygiene, having a flat and expressionless gaze, the inability to cry or express joy, inappropriate laughter or crying, depression, oversleeping or insomnia, odd or irrational statements, forgetfulness or the inability to concentrate, extreme reaction to criticism, and or strange use of words or way of speaking (Helpguide.org).” There are five types of symptoms of Schizophrenia. Positive is a symptom that involves having hallucinations or delusions. Negative is when one shows no emotion or flat behavior. Avolation is when a person shows little interest in whatever they are doing. Cognitive behavior is when you have disorganized speech or memory loss. Catatonic behavior is considered poor functioning such as your voluntary muscles