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Positive Symptoms of Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia is a debilitating mental disorder. Schizophrenics display symptoms categorized as positive and negative. Positive symptoms of schizophrenia refer to the presence of abnormal behaviors.

  1. Delusions of Grandeur

    • Delusions are beliefs that have no factual basis in reality. Delusions of grandeur occur when a schizophrenic believes he has special powers or abilities, such as the belief that he is famous or is chosen for a special destiny.

    Delusions of Reference

    • Delusions of reference occur when a schizophrenic believes people, or possibly speakers on the television or radio, are talking about him exclusively.

    Paranoid Delusions

    • In this delusion, a schizophrenic believes someone is "out to get" her or is persecuting her unjustly.

    Somatic Delusions

    • Somatic delusions involve the body. In this case, a schizophrenic may have delusions that his body is decaying, the government has planted a microchip in his arm or he has superpowers of some kind.

    Hallucinations

    • Hallucinations involve all of the five senses--smelling, touching, seeing, tasting and hearing things that are not real.

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