Negative symptoms of schizophrenia refer to the absence or reduction of normal behaviors, emotions, and functions. These symptoms represent a loss of ability in areas that most people take for granted. Here are the main negative symptoms:
- Affective Flattening (or Blunted Affect): This refers to a severe reduction in the expression of emotions. A person with affective flattening might have a blank facial expression, lack of eye contact, and reduced emotional responses in conversations or situations where emotions would normally be expected.
- Alogia: This is characterized by reduced speech output. A person with alogia might speak very little or provide very limited responses, making it difficult for them to engage in normal conversations. Their speech may be brief, empty, or even absent altogether.
- Anhedonia: This is the inability to experience pleasure from activities that are usually found enjoyable. A person with anhedonia might lose interest in hobbies, social interactions, or any activities that used to bring them joy.
- Asociality: This symptom involves a lack of interest in social interactions and relationships. People with asociality may withdraw from social activities, have few or no close friends, and prefer to be alone most of the time.
- Avolition: Avolition is a marked decrease in motivation to initiate and sustain purposeful activities. It might manifest as difficulty in starting and completing tasks, even simple ones like getting dressed, grooming, or performing basic household chores.
- Reduced Ability to Plan or Carry Out Activities: This includes a lack of goal-directed behavior or difficulty in organizing tasks and activities. A person may struggle to make decisions or plan steps to achieve even simple goals.
Negative symptoms often contribute significantly to the functional impairment seen in schizophrenia, as they can make it challenging for individuals to engage in everyday life, maintain relationships, or hold down a job. Unlike positive symptoms, which are usually more responsive to medication, negative symptoms can be more persistent and difficult to treat.