When I first saw this phrase during my research, I thought “how can you have positive symptoms with schizophrenia?” Then, I read on further and this what it meant: Positive symptoms of schizophrenia refer to experiences and behaviors that are added to a person’s behavior that are not typically present in people without schizophrenia. These positive symptoms of schizophrenia include: hallucinations, delusions, disorganized speech and thinking and abnormal movements. These experiences and behaviors are often referred to as positive symptoms, they are not necessarily positive in the usual sense of the word.
Hallucinations
These are perceptions that occur in the absence of an external stimulus. They can involve any of the senses, but auditory hallucinations (hearing voices) are most common. Hallucinations are one of the hallmark symptoms of schizophrenia. Individuals with schizophrenia experience auditory, visual, or other sensory perceptions that are not based on reality. These hallucinations are not in response to an external stimulus and are perceived as real by the person experiencing them. Hallucinations are often experienced as distressing and can be scary, confusing, or overwhelming for individuals with schizophrenia.
The exact reason why hallucinations occur in individuals with schizophrenia is not entirely understood. However, researchers believe that it may be due to an imbalance of chemicals in the brain, particularly the neurotransmitter dopamine, which is responsible for regulating pleasure, motivation, and attention. Schizophrenia is believed to be caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors, with some individuals having a higher risk of developing the condition due to a family history of the disorder.
I’ve often wondered how different my life would have been if I hadn’t been diagnosed with any mental illnesses. Would I have defended myself when I was being bullied? Would I have stood up and reported what my teacher had done to me during grade school? Would I have more confidence now? What about the anxiety, would I still be anxious about every little action that I have taken?
Delusions
These are fixed, false beliefs that are not based on reality. They can involve a range of topics, such as persecution, grandeur, and control. Delusions…where do I begin. I’ll start with the most recent past experiences. I’ll just come out and say it, before I put my cat down, I believed he understood every word I would say. Even though he didn’t answer me back, he knew what I was saying. At the time, he was really the only one I could talk to. I know, he’s just an animal, but in my mind, he was listening. So, I would talk to him and he would acknowledge me (so I thought). Finally, someone that would listen to me and not judge me. Anyway, when I put him to sleep, my voice became silent once again.
Disorganized Speech And Thinking
This can involve speech that is difficult to follow or understand, as well as disorganized behavior. For most of my life (or as far back that I can remember), I’ve always had disorganized behavior. I didn’t speak much to people I didn’t know. I was very introverted. I was one of those kids that hid behind mom or dad if a stranger approached.
Abnormal Movements
Abnormal movements may include repeated, purposeless movements or unusual postures. I have abnormal movements, but like I’ve said before, I think it’s part of the Parkinson’s. I can’t remember any times before that when I’ve had repeated movements or unusual postures. However, I didn’t notice the movements until about four years ago.
Psychopathology Of Schizophrenia
The psychopathology of schizophrenia refers to the clinical symptoms that are typically observed in individuals with this disorder. The symptoms of schizophrenia can be broadly divided into positive symptoms, negative symptoms, and cognitive symptoms.
Positive symptoms refer to experiences and behaviors that are not present in people without schizophrenia. These include hallucinations, delusions, disorganized thought and speech, and abnormal movements. I have hallucinations and delusions constantly. I know it happens, but I feel powerless to stop them. Medication hasn’t helped me, hence, I just try to deal with them the best way I know possible. I had been keeping it to myself…until now.
Negative symptoms refer to a decrease or loss of normal functioning that is not present in individuals without schizophrenia. These include reduced emotional expression, apathy, social withdrawal, and reduced motivation. I have also withdrawn socially and spend most of my days in my room. I don’t have to deal with anybody and their problems. That’s not really how I want to live, that’s just the way things turned out. I miss being around other people. I know, “than do something about it.” It’s not that easy. I wish all my problems would disappear when I walk through the doorway in my room, but there always there. It’s compounding day after day, so I retreat further and further into my shell where I think I’m safe (but that’s farther from the truth and I know it).
Cognitive symptoms refer to problems with memory, attention, and decision-making that are common in individuals with schizophrenia. I definitely have memory issues, but that might be from Parkinson’s Disease, I don’t know for sure! It’s for sure that I don’t make decisions easily. I’m always afraid of upsetting the other person.
Borderline Schizophrenia
Borderline schizophrenia is not a recognized clinical diagnosis. It is sometimes used as a colloquial term to describe a person who exhibits symptoms of both a personality disorder, specifically borderline personality disorder, and schizophrenia.
Borderline personality disorder is a mental health condition that is characterized by unstable moods, self-image, and interpersonal relationships. Symptoms of borderline personality disorder may include reckless behavior, fear of abandonment, chronic feelings of emptiness, and intense and unstable interpersonal relationships.
Conclusion
I’ve often wondered how different my life would have been if I hadn’t been diagnosed with any mental illnesses. Would I have defended myself when I was being bullied? Would I have stood up and reported what my teacher had done to me during grade school? Would I have more confidence now? What about the anxiety, would I still be anxious about every little action that I have taken or going to take? What if, What if! I’ll never find out because I have never lived that life. And I wouldn’t be sharing my thoughts about mental illnesses with you. So, thank you! Embrace yourself, you deserve it!
Articles
-Schizophrenia: An Overview
https://www.webmd.com/schizophrenia/mental-health-schizophrenia
-What Is Schizophrenia?
https://www.janssenschizophreniainjections.com/understanding-schizophrenia/schizophrenia-basics/
-For Adults Living With Schizophrenia
Have a Good One,
Cindee, One Voice – Unstoppable
“You’re not alone!”
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