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Negative Symptoms of Schizophrenia
Negative symptoms
The term "negative symptoms" refers to reductions in normal emotional and behavioral states. These include the following:
- flat affect (immobile facial expression, monotonous voice),
- lack of pleasure in everyday life,
- diminished ability to initiate and sustain planned activity, and
- speaking infrequently, even when forced to interact.
People with schizophrenia often neglect basic hygiene and need help with everyday activities. Because it is not as obvious that negative symptoms are part of a psychiatric illness, people with schizophrenia are often perceived as lazy and unwilling to better their lives.
WebMD Public Information from the U.S. National Institutes of Health
Reviewed on
July 12, 2006
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