Negative Symptoms of Schizophrenia | Look Beyond Stable

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Up to 60% of people living with schizophrenia experience negative symptoms

Negative symptoms, such as low motivation, are among the most common early symptoms of schizophrenia. They may start before positive symptoms like hallucinations. Even when treated with medication, you, or someone you care for who lives with schizophrenia, may have a hard time with daily tasks because of negative symptoms.

Experience life with negative symptoms

Explore a 3D environment of someone living with the negative symptoms of schizophrenia.

symptoms

Let’s look at Anna’s symptoms

When Anna is experiencing negative symptoms, she may:

Not want to do anything, like clean her room

Not want to do activities that make her happy, like write in her journal

Stay away from other people, like family and friends

Show less emotion on her face, like when her mother shares good news

Speak very little, like when her friends try to talk to her

IMPACT

Negative symptoms may affect Anna, and others like her, in
many ways

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Need for daily support

People living with negative symptoms may not be able to do daily tasks like take care of their hygiene or communicate with others. They may also find it difficult to hold a job or live alone. Because of these reasons, they may need to rely more on a caregiver.

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Withdrawal from life

Negative symptoms may cause people living with schizophrenia to show less emotion and pull back from being social. They may also feel less joy and lack the motivation to accomplish goals. People living with negative symptoms may also avoid other people or feel disconnected from activities that once made them happy.

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Need for more care

Negative symptoms can be hard on people living with schizophrenia, and unfortunately, these symptoms are persistent and there are no FDA-approved medicines. Because of this, negative symptoms may cause a person living with schizophrenia to utilize healthcare services more than those living without negative symptoms.

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MANAGEMENT

It’s important to look for negative symptoms

There is a chance you or the person you care for may have negative symptoms, like low motivation, but not realize it’s a part of schizophrenia. Once you know what to look out for, this may help you describe your symptoms to your healthcare provider so they understand the impact these symptoms are having on your life.

New treatments and technologies are being worked on. So, it’s important to keep asking your care team about treatment options.

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