Schizophrenia
Schizophrenia is a serious mental health condition that affects the way a person thinks, feels, and behaves. People with schizophrenia may experience hallucinations, delusions, and disorganized thinking, which can make it difficult to understand what is real and what isn’t. Schizophrenia can cause a range of symptoms, and these symptoms can affect different people in different ways. There are positive symptoms, which involve things that are added to a person’s experience, and negative symptoms, which involve things that are taken away or diminished from their usual functioning.
Positive Symptoms:
These are symptoms that add something extra to the person's experience. They may include:
Hallucinations: Seeing or hearing things that aren’t really there. The most common type of hallucination in schizophrenia is hearing voices.
Delusions: Strongly held beliefs that aren’t true, such as thinking that others are plotting against them, or believing they have special powers or abilities.
Disorganized Thinking: This can make it hard for someone to speak coherently or logically. Thoughts may jump from one idea to another, making it hard for others to understand what they’re trying to say.
Disorganized Behavior: Behavior that seems unusual or inappropriate for the situation, like acting in a way that seems out of place or not making sense.
Negative Symptoms:
These refer to the loss or reduction of normal abilities or functions. They might include:
Lack of motivation: Not wanting to do things that were once enjoyable or important.
Reduced ability to experience emotions: Feeling flat or not showing emotions in the way others might expect.
Social withdrawal: Avoiding interaction with others or having difficulty making or keeping relationships.
Difficulty with everyday tasks: Struggling to manage daily activities like personal hygiene, keeping track of time, or taking care of household responsibilities.
