What are the signs and symptoms of schizophrenia?
There is, to date, no physical or laboratory test that can absolutely diagnose schizophrenia. The doctor, a psychiatrist, will make a diagnosis based on the patient’s clinical symptoms. However, physical testing can rule out some other disorders and conditions which sometimes have similar symptoms, such as seizure disorders, thyroid dysfunction, brain tumor, drug use, and metabolic disorders. Symptoms and signs of schizophrenia will vary, depending on the individual. The symptoms are classified into four categories: • Positive symptoms – also known as psychotic symptoms. These are symptoms that appear, which people without schizophrenia do not have. For example, delusion. • Negative symptoms – these refer to elements that are taken away from the individual; loss or absence of normal traits or abilities that people without schizophrenia normally have. For example, blunted emotion. • Cognitive symptoms – these are symptoms within the person’s thought processes. They may be positive or ne
