positive symptoms
Psychotic symptoms representing additions to normal mental functioning, including hallucinations, delusions, and thought disorder.
Full Definition
Positive symptoms in schizophrenia and related psychotic disorders refer to clinical features that represent an excess or distortion of normal mental functions, as opposed to negative symptoms which represent diminished functioning. Positive symptoms include hallucinations (particularly auditory), delusions, disorganized thinking and speech, and grossly disorganized or catatonic behavior. These symptoms are typically more responsive to antipsychotic medications than negative symptoms and are considered the primary target of acute treatment. The term 'positive' refers to their presence rather than any beneficial quality.
Usage
Usage note: Always distinguish from 'negative symptoms' in clinical documentation. The term 'positive' is counterintuitive to lay readers.
In Context
- "The patient's positive symptoms responded well to risperidone within two weeks of treatment initiation." — progress note
- "PANSS positive subscale scores decreased significantly in the treatment group." — clinical trial report