Question

Which of the following is a negative symptom of schizophrenia? a. hallucinations b. delusions of grandeur c. catatonia d. fatigue

Short answer

c. Catatonia

Step-by-step solution

Understand the Question

The question asks us to identify which of the given options is a negative symptom of schizophrenia. Schizophrenia symptoms are often classified as either positive or negative.

Define Positive Symptoms

Positive symptoms of schizophrenia are those that add abnormal experiences to a person's behavior, such as hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that aren't there) and delusions (strongly held false beliefs).

Define Negative Symptoms

Negative symptoms are those that involve a reduction or absence of normal behaviors or feelings. These may include emotional flatness, lack of pleasure, difficulty beginning and sustaining activities, or decreased talking.

Evaluate Each Option

a. Hallucinations are a positive symptom because they involve experiencing things that aren't present. b. Delusions of grandeur are a positive symptom due to false beliefs. c. Catatonia, often characterized by a lack of movement or response, can be either a positive symptom (when involving excessive movements) or a negative symptom when it involves a lack of movement or response. d. Fatigue is not typically associated particularly with schizophrenia symptoms as a defining symptom.

Conclusion

Based on our analysis, catatonia can be considered a negative symptom when it involves a lack of movement or response, fitting the criteria more than the other options.

Key concepts

Negative Symptoms

In schizophrenia, negative symptoms represent a decrease or loss of normal emotional and behavioral functions. Think of them as subtracting from one's usual experiences. Imagine a person who once enjoyed social gatherings suddenly avoiding them because they find no pleasure in such activities. That absence of interest is a negative symptom. These symptoms can be subtle, making them hard to identify but impactful on one's daily life.

• Emotional flatness can appear as limited emotional expression or difficulty in maintaining eye contact.
• A lack of pleasure from activities once found enjoyable is known as anhedonia.
• People may experience reduced ability to start and sustain activities, known as avolition.
• Some may talk less or show diminished speech output, referred to as alogia.

Negative symptoms can greatly contribute to the social and occupational challenges faced by people with schizophrenia.

Positive Symptoms

Positive symptoms in schizophrenia add experiences that aren't typically present in what is considered a normal range of human experience. It's like adding chaotic elements into someone’s daily life, making it hard to differentiate reality from the distorted perceptions.

• Hallucinations, such as hearing voices or seeing things that others do not see, are clear examples.
• Delusions involve holding false beliefs strongly; these can be beliefs that one is a famous figure, known as delusions of grandeur.
• These symptoms can distort thinking, causing disorganized thoughts and feelings of being controlled by external forces.

It's crucial to recognize that these symptoms can affect not only the affected individual but also those around them as they witness or experience the effects of disconnected perceptions.

Catatonia

Catatonia is a complex symptom often associated with schizophrenia, characterized by changes in muscle tone or activity. It can manifest in varied behaviors, significantly affecting one’s mobility and responsiveness. When someone is catatonic, they may appear lifeless or rigid, with their body frozen in unusual postures for extended durations. In contrast, others might experience excessive or purposeless movements, these can look like agitated pacing or repetitive motions.

• A striking lack of response can mean the person doesn't react to external stimuli, such as someone calling their name.
• Catatonia can result in mimicking the actions or words of others—a phenomenon known as echopraxia or echolalia, respectively.

Though catatonia can be described as a negative symptom when linked to immobility, it holds the complexity of being both a positive or negative symptom based on the nature of the episode.

Schizophrenia Diagnosis

The diagnosis of schizophrenia involves a comprehensive evaluation by a mental health professional. One of the challenges in diagnosing schizophrenia is distinguishing between its diverse symptoms, including negative and positive symptoms. Diagnosis typically starts with a detailed history and physical assessments aiming to rule out other possible conditions.

• The mental health professional will likely use diagnostic tools such as the DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) to confirm the presence of symptoms.
• They look for a combination of symptoms like disorganized speech, hallucinations, delusions, or negative symptoms persisting for at least six months.
• Occasionally, brain scans or lab tests are conducted to ensure symptoms are not the result of substance abuse or another mental health disorder.

Correct diagnosis is critical for appropriate treatment and to improve the quality of life for people living with schizophrenia.