What are positive symptoms of schizophrenia?

Positive symptoms of schizophrenia refer to the presence of abnormal thoughts or behaviors that are not typically seen in healthy individuals. Delusions are a prime example of a positive symptom, where an individual holds strong beliefs that are not based in reality, such as believing they have special powers or are being persecuted. Hallucinations, particularly auditory ones, involve perceiving something that is not present, such as hearing voices. Catatonic behavior can manifest as agitation, abnormal movements, or a lack of response to the environment, exemplifying how schizophrenia can lead to heightened and atypical behavioral states.

The other options represent negative symptoms or conditions not characteristic of the positive symptomatology of schizophrenia. For instance, flat affect, decreased fluency, and social withdrawal are indicative of negative symptoms, which reflect a decrease in emotional expression and social engagement. Grossly disorganized behavior is somewhat aligned with positive symptoms, but maintenance of social relationships contradicts the dysfunctional aspects typically observed in schizophrenia. Lastly, decreased productivity of thought and persistent sadness relate more to other mental health disorders, particularly depressive disorders, rather than the positive symptoms associated with schizophrenia.