03/23/2017
What are some of the symptoms of schizophrenia?
The symptoms of schizophrenia vary and may be disruptive or, in some cases, hard to notice. Just as there isn't a single lab or brain imaging test for schizophrenia, a single symptom can't be used to diagnose this condition. That's why healthcare providers must look at a number of signs and symptoms before making a diagnosis, including:
Positive symptoms
The positive symptoms of schizophrenia are associated with "losing touch" with reality. These symptoms may include:
Seeing, hearing, or even feeling things that no one else can
Beliefs in something even after it's proven to be false
Disorganized thinking, such as trouble organizing thoughts or connecting them logically
Involuntary movements or the lack of movement altogether
Negative symptoms
Negative symptoms may mean a disruption in normal everyday emotions and behaviors. These symptoms can sometimes be mistaken for depression or other conditions and may include:
Behavior where the person's face or voice does not move or show emotion
A lack of feeling pleasure in everyday life
An inability to take part in or to stick with planned activities
Talking only a little, even when asked to talk
Associated symptoms
These symptoms may be subtle compared to the positive symptoms mentioned above. They may include:
Difficulty with memory or paying attention
Difficulty understanding information to make decisions
Smiling or laughing for no appropriate reason
Depressed mood (loss of interest)
Lack of interest in food (refusing to eat)
Disturbed sleeping patterns
