Based on the search results, the main symptoms of schizophrenia include:
- Positive symptoms:
- Hallucinations: Seeing, hearing, smelling or feeling things that aren’t actually there. Hearing voices is the most common hallucination.
- Delusions: Strong beliefs that are not based in reality, such as thinking you’re being harmed or harassed when you’re not.
- Disorganized speech and thinking: Trouble organizing thoughts, jumping between unrelated topics, or using nonsensical words.
- Negative symptoms:
- Lack of motivation
- Loss of interest in daily activities and social interactions
- Reduced emotional expression (“flat affect”)
- Difficulty showing emotions
- Poor grooming or hygiene
- Slow movement
- Problems with speech (speaking less or not at all)
- Cognitive symptoms:
- Problems with attention, concentration, and memory
- Difficulty processing information
- Trouble planning and organizing
Other symptoms may include:
- Changes in sleep patterns
- Unusual body language
- Catatonia (in rare cases)
The symptoms typically start appearing in late adolescence or early adulthood. Early treatment is important, as untreated schizophrenia can lead to more severe symptoms and poorer outcomes over time. It’s worth noting that symptoms can vary significantly between individuals with schizophrenia.
Citations:
[1] https://www.webmd.com/schizophrenia/schizophrenia-symptoms
[2] https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/schizophrenia
[3] https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/schizophrenia
[4] https://www.rethink.org/advice-and-information/about-mental-illness/learn-more-about-conditions/schizophrenia
[5] https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/schizophrenia/symptoms-causes/syc-20354443
[6] https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/conditions/schizophrenia/symptoms/
[7] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK540974/
[8] https://medlineplus.gov/flu.html