There are many different mental health conditions which may result in a wide variety of associated symptoms. While some forms of mental disorder are extremely common such as anxiety and depression there are many others which the average person is unlikely to be familiar with such as schizophrenia. This article aims to focus on exploring how schizophrenia impacts the lives of those affected with key areas to be explored listed below.
- What is schizophrenia?
- Positive symptoms of schizophrenia
- Cognitive symptoms of schizophrenia
- Negative symptoms of schizophrenia
What is Schizophrenia?
Schizophrenia is a mental health condition that may involve symptoms such as the sufferer hearing voices or having strange beliefs known as delusions. Although the term schizophrenia is derived from the Greek words "schizo," meaning "spilt" and "phren," meaning "mind," it does not actually mean that those affected have a split personality. Unlike other mental health problems such as anxiety, depression and eating disorders where women are more commonly affected, schizophrenia is most commonly identified in young men in early adulthood. This condition impacts people from all ethnic groups across society although it is more prevalent within urban areas. Symptoms associated with schizophrenia may typically be grouped into three areas including positive, cognitive and negative symptoms.
Positive Symptoms of Schizophrenia
Positive symptoms associated with schizophrenia include both delusions and hallucinations which are often referred to as psychotic symptoms. Delusions are thoughts or beliefs the individual has that to others often seem peculiar or illogical. Key examples of delusions include the following: delusions of grandeur (such as thinking one is super special with unique gifts or ability), delusions of persecution (thinking one is under threat, being watched or at risk of being poisoned) and delusions of reference (for example, given hidden secret codes or messages from the radio/television). Hallucinations which are most commonly associated with schizophrenia include hearing voices. This symptom involves the individual hearing, seeing, feeling, smelling or tasting things that are not actually real.
Cognitive Symptoms of Schizophrenia
Cognitive symptoms may often precede positive symptoms and refer to concentration, memory and attention problems. These symptoms may have serious and distressing impacts upon the individual's life especially in terms of employment and relationships. The sufferer may struggle to remember important information and have difficulty in expressing thoughts and feelings.
Negative Symptoms of Schizophrenia
Negative symptoms associated with schizophrenia are often less evident than positive symptoms and refer to a decrease or loss of normal functions. Examples of negative symptoms may include the following: decrease in motivation, social isolation/withdrawal, appearing emotionless similar to symptoms exhibited in clinical depression.
Source:
Burton, N. Master Your Mind Oxford: Acheron Press
Kate Le Page - Kate Henning-Le Page writes about eating disorders, body image and recovery issues. She specializes in anorexia recovery.
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