How To Recognize Important Warning Signs Of Schizophrenia

Positive Symptoms

Positive symptoms are not beneficial to the patient but are called positive because they are additional behaviors and symptoms seen in individuals who develop schizophrenia. The diagnosis requires the patient to experience two or more of the following symptoms for a minimum of six months: hallucinations, delusions, movement disorders, confused or incoherent thought and speech.

In some cases, bizarre hallucinations or delusions can alone suffice for diagnosis. Hallucinations can come in any sensory form; patients may hear voices, see or smell things that are not there. However, the most common reports are of auditory hallucinations. Delusions are different than hallucinations as they are not sensory-based, but false belief. Delusions come in many different themes; patients may believe that they are a messiah or that they are being stalked, spied on, tricked or hunted in one manner or another.