12.1.1 Positive Symptoms

• Schizophrenia is a severe mental disorder characterized by distorted thinking, hallucinations, delusions, and impaired emotional and social functioning
• According to the DSM-5, an individual must exhibit at least two symptoms for a significant portion of at least one month to be diagnosed with schizophrenia.
• What are hallucinations in the context of schizophrenia?

  Sensory experiences without external stimuli
• According to the DSM-5, at least one symptom for diagnosing schizophrenia must be delusions, hallucinations, or disorganized thinking
• What are positive symptoms of schizophrenia?

  Excess or distortion of normal behavior
• Persecutory delusions involve the belief that one is being plotted against.
• Hallucinations can occur in various forms, including auditory, visual, tactile, olfactory, and gustatory
• Match the type of disorganized thinking with its manifestation:

  Loose associations ↔️ Switching topics unrelatedly

  Neologisms ↔️ Creating new words

  Clang association ↔️ Grouping words by sound
• What is grossly disorganized behavior in schizophrenia?

  Odd or purposeless actions
• According to the DSM-5, to be diagnosed with schizophrenia, an individual must exhibit at least two symptoms for a significant portion of at least one month
• What are delusions in the context of schizophrenia?

  False beliefs held firmly
• Hallucinations are sensory experiences without external stimuli
• Disorganized thinking in schizophrenia is characterized by coherent and structured thoughts.

  False
• What is grossly disorganized behavior in schizophrenia?

  Odd or purposeless actions
• Each of these symptoms can significantly impair an individual's ability to function
• Positive symptoms of schizophrenia add to or distort normal behavior.
• Delusions in schizophrenia may lead to fear, paranoia, and social isolation
• Hallucinations can cause distress, confusion, and difficulty concentrating.
• What type of dysfunction do positive symptoms contribute to?

  Social and occupational
• Delusions are false beliefs that are firmly held despite contradictory evidence
• Hallucinations are sensory experiences without external stimuli.
• Match the clinical example with its corresponding positive symptom:

  Delusions ↔️ Believing they are a historical figure

  Hallucinations ↔️ Hearing voices to harm themselves

  Disorganized thinking ↔️ Rapidly switching unrelated topics

  Grossly disorganized behavior ↔️ Engaging in aimless movements
• What is an example of disorganized thinking observed in a clinical setting?

  Rambling conversation
• Grossly disorganized behavior can include repetitive, aimless movements.
• A patient with schizophrenia may believe they have superpowers, which is an example of a delusion
• What type of sensory experience is hearing voices that criticize or command a patient?

  Hallucination
• Positive symptoms of schizophrenia can manifest in real-life scenarios.