Question

Describe the basic criteria for schizophrenia based on the current DSM criteria. Explain the differences between negative and positive symptoms.

Answer 1

Basic Criteria for Schizophrenia based on DSM

According to the criteria of DSM, a Schizophrenic patient can experience some specific problems for one month and can be more than one month. These problems are present in most of the Schizophrenic patient. Such as

• Hallucination
• Delusion
• Catatonic or violent behaviors
• Difficulty in speech ( Sleep of tongue)
• Lack of Interest in regular activities
• Social dysfunction
• Split personality
• Illogical thinking

These symptoms are known as the Criteria of Schizophrenia in DSM (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorder).

Differences between Negative and Positive Symptoms of Schizophrenia

Differences between positive and negative Symptoms of Schizophrenia are based on the behaviors of a Schizophrenic patient. A schizophrenic patient can experience both positive and negative symptoms of Schizophrenia. There are some specific differences between the positive and negative symptoms of Schizophrenia. Such as

1) Positive Symptoms are always distorted. These symptoms are the way of experiencing new experiences.

In other hand, Negative Symptoms can take the reality away. Also can decreases all the interest of surviving for a Schizophrenic patient.

2)Positive Symptoms such as Hallucination can include things to the sensory perception or sensation. Such as a Schizophrenic patient with positive symptoms can hear, touch or feel something which might have no existence in the world of reality. It’s called hallucination.

In other hand, A Schizophrenic patient with negative symptoms sometimes unable to experience the sensory perception of anything.

3)A Schizophrenic patient with positive symptoms can become over excited or catatonic sometimes.

In other hand, a Schizophrenic patient with negative Symptoms can loss interest in normal activities and their motivation level also decreases.

4)A Schizophrenic patient with positive symptoms can experience unsystematic or disorganized speech.

In other hand, a Schizophrenic patient with negative symptoms can experience diminished speech.

5)Hallucination, Delusion, Disorganized language, catatonic behaviors are the example of positive Symptoms in a Schizophrenic patient

Decreased motivation, lack of interest and Diminished communication are the example of negative Symptoms in a Schizophrenic patient.