schizophrenia characteristics

• schizophrenia is the most common psychotic disorder which affects 1% of the population at some point in their life
• schizophrenia being a mental health disorder can be characterised as a disruptions in thought processes, responsiveness, emotions and perceptions
• positive symptoms and negative symptoms are used to diagnose schizophrenia
• positive symptoms are those which are not usually presented in everyday life which reflect the distortion of normal functioning
• positive symptoms include

  • delusions (delusions of persecution, delusions of grandeur, delusions of control)
  • hallucinations (auditory)
• delusions are false beliefs an individual firmly holds despite them being completely illogical (no evidence behind the beliefs)

  • delusions of persecution - beliefs that others want to hurt, harm or threaten you
  • delusions of grandeur - idea that you are an important individual, you have extraordinary powers
  • delusions of control - believing that you are under someone elses control - mind is being invaded
• hallucinations are disturbances in perception - the perceptions have no basis in reality

  • common form includes auditory hallucinations - hearing familiar and unfamiliar voices
• negative symptoms cause a decline in normal functioning
• negative symptoms include

  • speech poverty
  • avolition
• speech poverty is the inability to speak properly which can be characterised by lack of ability to produce fluent words - reflects slowing/blocked thoughts
• avolition is the reduction, difficulty or inability to start and continue goal directed behaviours

  • for example no longer being interested in going out and partaking in your favorite activities