Positive symptoms of schizophrenia are those that add something extra to a person’s experience, meaning they involve an excess or distortion of normal functions. They are called “positive” not because they are good, but because they are added experiences beyond what is considered normal. Here are the main positive symptoms:
- Hallucinations: These are false sensory experiences that can occur in any of the five senses. The most common type is auditory hallucinations, where the person hears voices that others do not hear. These voices might be critical, commanding, or conversational. Visual, tactile, olfactory, and gustatory hallucinations can also occur, though they are less common.
- Delusions: Delusions are false beliefs that are strongly held despite clear evidence that they are not true. Common delusions include paranoid delusions (belief that others are out to harm them), delusions of grandeur (belief that they have special powers or importance), and delusions of reference (belief that unrelated events or comments refer specifically to them).
- Disorganized Thinking (or Thought Disorder): This refers to incoherent or illogical thought patterns. A person with disorganized thinking might have trouble organizing their thoughts, leading to disjointed speech that is difficult to follow. This might manifest as “word salad,” where words are jumbled together without making sense, or as loose associations, where the person jumps from one idea to another with little connection between them.
- Disorganized or Abnormal Motor Behavior: This can include a wide range of behaviors, from agitation or unpredictable movements to catatonia, where the person might not move or respond to stimuli for long periods. This symptom can also involve bizarre or purposeless movements, such as grimacing or odd postures.
These symptoms can significantly impact a person’s ability to function in daily life and often require medical treatment to manage