All are negative symptoms of schizophrenia, except: NIMHANS 08; UPSC 11; COMEDK 14
## Core Concept
Negative symptoms of schizophrenia are characterized by a decrease or absence of normal behaviors, including **apathy**, **poverty of speech** (alogia), **social withdrawal**, and **lack of emotional expression**. These symptoms reflect a deficiency in normal emotional and behavioral states.
## Why the Correct Answer is Right
The correct answer, , refers to **hallucinations**, which are a type of positive symptom of schizophrenia. Positive symptoms involve an excess or distortion of normal functions, such as **perceptual disturbances** (e.g., hallucinations) and **disorganized thinking**. Hallucinations are not a negative symptom; instead, they represent an addition or distortion of normal sensory experiences.
## Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect
* **Option A:** - **Alogia** (poverty of speech) is indeed a negative symptom, characterized by a significant reduction in speech output.
* **Option B:** - **Affect flattening** (flat affect) is also a negative symptom, marked by a lack of emotional expression.
* **Option D:** - **Social withdrawal** is a negative symptom, reflecting a decrease in social interactions and relationships.
## Clinical Pearl / High-Yield Fact
A key point to remember is that negative symptoms of schizophrenia, such as apathy and social withdrawal, are often more difficult to treat than positive symptoms (like hallucinations) and are strongly associated with **long-term functional impairment**. Negative symptoms can significantly impact a patient's quality of life and ability to engage in daily activities.
## Correct Answer Line
**Correct Answer: . Hallucinations**