Delusions are defined as beliefs that starkly contradict reality and are maintained with strong conviction, even when presented with conflicting evidence. Unlike merely odd beliefs, delusions are typically identifiable by their absurd nature.

Delusions

A hallucination is a perceptual experience that happens without any external stimulation. These experiences can affect any sense and are typically vivid and clear, feeling like normal perceptions. The most prevalent type of hallucination, particularly in schizophrenia, is auditory (hearing voices), which affects approximately two-thirds of patients.

Hallucinations

(those abnormally present) Hallucinations, such as hearing voices or seeing things that do not exist, paranoia and exaggerated or distorted perceptions, beliefs and behaviors.

Syracuse University

The primary symptoms of schizophrenia are categorized into five main types: hallucinations, delusions, disorganized thinking, disorganized or abnormal motor behavior, and negative symptoms. When the disorder is active, individuals may struggle to differentiate between real and unreal experiences. The severity, duration, and frequency of these symptoms can vary, and severe psychotic symptoms often decrease with age.

Schizophrenia Symptoms

American Psychiatric Association . (n.d.). What is Schizophrenia? What is schizophrenia? Retrieved January 27, 2022, from https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/schizophrenia/what-is-schizophrenia 

What Is Schizophrenia?

Positive Symptoms of Schizophrenia 

Confused and disordered thinking and speech, trouble with logical thinking and sometimes bizarre behavior or abnormal movements.

Disorganized Symptoms of Schizophrenia 

Cognition is another area of functioning that is affected in schizophrenia leading to problems with attention, concentration and memory, and to declining educational performance.

Cognitive Symptoms of Schizophrenia 

Negative symptoms involve significant reductions and absences of typical behaviors, emotions, or motivations (Green, 2001). These symptoms signify a loss of normal functions and include diminished emotional expression, avolition, alogia, asociality, and anhedonia.

Negative Symptoms of Schizophrenia

Prodromal symptoms in schizophrenia refer to the slight, early symptoms of psychosis. This could mean that the individual is going through odd communications, paranoia, and delusions. 

Prodromal Symptoms of Schizophrenia

- Genetic causes
- Biological causes
- Brain anatomy
- Pregnancy
- Marijuana

Possible Causes of Schrizophrenia

Read the following clinical description. Identify one example for each of the following three symptom categories: a delusion, disorganized thinking, and a negative symptom. For each example, briefly explain your reasoning.

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