Which of the following is considered a positive symptom of schizophrenia?

Which of the following is considered a positive symptom of schizophrenia?

• A. Anxiety
• B. Apathy
• C. Impaired memory
• D. Word salad

Answer: (D)

Word salad is categorized as a positive symptom of schizophrenia because it reflects the presence of abnormal thought processes and disorganized speech. In schizophrenia, positive symptoms indicate the addition of abnormal behaviors or thoughts that are not typically present in healthy individuals. Word salad specifically involves a jumble of words and phrases that are incoherent and lack the logical structure of normal speech, illustrating how thought organization can be severely disrupted. In contrast, anxiety, apathy, and impaired memory are generally seen as negative symptoms, which refer to the absence or reduction of normal emotional responses or functions. Negative symptoms include diminished emotional expression, lack of motivation (apathy), and cognitive deficits, such as impaired memory, which reflect a decrease in certain abilities or traits rather than an excess of abnormal experiences.

Word salad is categorized as a positive symptom of schizophrenia because it reflects the presence of abnormal thought processes and disorganized speech. In schizophrenia, positive symptoms indicate the addition of abnormal behaviors or thoughts that are not typically present in healthy individuals. Word salad specifically involves a jumble of words and phrases that are incoherent and lack the logical structure of normal speech, illustrating how thought organization can be severely disrupted.

In contrast, anxiety, apathy, and impaired memory are generally seen as negative symptoms, which refer to the absence or reduction of normal emotional responses or functions. Negative symptoms include diminished emotional expression, lack of motivation (apathy), and cognitive deficits, such as impaired memory, which reflect a decrease in certain abilities or traits rather than an excess of abnormal experiences.