Negative symptoms refer to lessening or absence of normal behaviours related to motivation and interest or verbal and emotional expression commonly seen in schizophrenia. These can occur early in the disease, persist over time, increase in severity and remain between severe episodes.
Correll CU, Schooler NR. Negative Symptoms in Schizophrenia: A Review and Clinical Guide for Recognition, Assessment, and Treatment. Neuropsychiatr Dis Treat. 2020 Feb 21;16:519-534.
Correll, C. The Prevalence of Negative Symptoms in Schizophrenia and Their Impact on Patient Functioning and Course of Illness. The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry. 74(2):e04, 2013.
Although it’s not always easy to recognise these symptoms yourself, tell your doctor or healthcare team about any negative symptoms you may have noticed and together you can improve them with approaches that are right for you.
General interventions focused on a healthy lifestyle that may help include exercise, improved sleep, improved diet, smoking cessation, appropriate alcohol intake and social participation. Social skills training, cognitive remediation therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) also have a positive impact.
Other conditions that can contribute to negative symptoms need be treated. And, adjustments or a switch in medication may be necessary to help treat negative symptoms or improve other symptoms and side effects that can make them worse.
Generally, it’s important to look after yourself, to socialize and to get out and about as much as possible.
Correll CU, Schooler NR. Negative Symptoms in Schizophrenia: A Review and Clinical Guide for Recognition, Assessment, and Treatment. Neuropsychiatr Dis Treat. 2020 Feb 21;16:519-534.
