Which describes the positive symptoms of schizophrenia?

Which describes the positive symptoms of schizophrenia?

• A. Negative symptoms like flat affect
• B. Positive symptoms such as hallucinations and delusions
• C. Cognitive decline only
• D. Mood swings

Answer: (B)

Positive symptoms are experiences that add to normal functioning. In schizophrenia, they are things that go beyond everyday experience, such as hallucinations—perceiving things that aren’t actually present, most often hearing voices—and delusions—strong, false beliefs held despite evidence to the contrary. These phenomena illustrate additions to one’s mental life that aren’t part of typical experience, which is why they’re classified as positive symptoms. Other symptom types exist but describe different patterns. Negative symptoms involve reductions or losses in normal functions, like flat affect or reduced motivation. Cognitive symptoms affect thinking processes such as memory and attention. Mood-related symptoms can occur but are not what define positive symptoms.

Positive symptoms are experiences that add to normal functioning. In schizophrenia, they are things that go beyond everyday experience, such as hallucinations—perceiving things that aren’t actually present, most often hearing voices—and delusions—strong, false beliefs held despite evidence to the contrary. These phenomena illustrate additions to one’s mental life that aren’t part of typical experience, which is why they’re classified as positive symptoms.

Other symptom types exist but describe different patterns. Negative symptoms involve reductions or losses in normal functions, like flat affect or reduced motivation. Cognitive symptoms affect thinking processes such as memory and attention. Mood-related symptoms can occur but are not what define positive symptoms.